Writing the Declaration and
Common Sense
Mr. Sandford
AP American History
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The 2nd Continental Congress

The 2nd CC met on May 10, 1775,
in Philadelphia.
• Commander in Chief George
Washington
• Continental Dollars
• Oliver Branch Petition
• Declaration of the Causes and
Necessity of Taking Up Arms.
• Had to decide on Independence
or conciliation.
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Common Sense
After a victories in New England
(1775/6) and the rejection of the
Olive Branch Petition, no
chance at reconciliation.
 At the beginning of the year, Jan.
1776, a pamphlet was published
by Thomas Paine, advocating
that Monarchies do not work.
 It sold 100,000 copies in a few
months.

Thomas Paine

He recently arrived from England
after failing at several businesses.
• Failed at making corsets and
collecting taxes.
Benjamin Franklin met Paine in
London, as Paine was advocating
for high pay for tax collectors.
 Franklin gave him a letter of
introduction, and left for America
in 1774.

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Common Sense
It was initially pub. anonymously.
 It sold quickly across America.
 He expressed his ideas in a direct style and in
everyday English.
 The pamphlet brought the revolutionary sentiment
into focus by blaming the suffering of the colonists
directly on the concept of a Monarch.
 He specifically named King George III
 REVOLUTION!

Common Sense
It advocated an immediate
declaration of independence.
 It mocked the idea that an island
control a continent.
 It mocked the idea that a king was
king because of his father, not
ability.
 It referred to the King as a “Royal
Brute”

Its Impact
Written near the beginning of the revolution,
it served as a way to get the “average” person
to understand the revolution’s purpose.
 It stirred colonists to strengthen their
resolve, and support the war.
 People across the country began to push for
Independence - TIS TIME TO PART!
 On June 7 ,1776, the first resolution was
offered for Independence in the CC.

King George Quote
In response to the actions by the colonists
and the Olive Branch Petition, King George III,
is quoted as saying:
“Once vigorous measures appear to be
the only means left of bringing the
Americans to a due submission to the
mother country, the colonies will submit.”
Declaration of Independence
On June 7, 1776, Virginian
Richard Henry Lee,
introduced a resolution
stating that the colonies
“are, and of right ought to
be, free and Independent
States.”
 Why was it significant that
a Southerner introduce
the resolution?

Declaration of Independence
The Congress appointed a
committee to draw up a
Declaration of Independence.
 John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
& Roger Sherman.
 Thomas Jefferson took the lead
to write, and on June 28, the
committee proposed the Dec. to
the Congress.

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