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What was the Declaration Of Independence and why was it written?

The colonists debated over staying loyal to Great Britain and the King of England or if they should declare their independence.  Patriot leaders wanted to form a new country and Thomas Jefferson a patriot wrote a document that told why the colonies no longer wanted to be apart of Great Britain.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE is what it is called.

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Picture of the Declaration Of Independence

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Picture of the Declaration Of Independence

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I selected this picture of the Declaration Of Independence because it told why the colonists started a new country and it was signed by the Second Continental Congress.

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What was the purpose of the Second Continental Congress and who was apart of it?

The fighting had started between the colonies and Great Britain.
In May of 1775. Representatives were sent from each colony to the
Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.  This Congress was
the government for the colonists and needed to make the decision whether to declare independence and make a plan to fight.

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This shows the Second Continental Congress voting for independence.

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Explain Common Sense,  and its effect

Many colonists were not sure about being independent from Great Britain.  They were loyal British citizens but wanted the King to listen to their complaints.  They were afraid the colonies would not win a war against the British army.  One man believed in the colonies and wrote a booklet called Common Sense.  In the booklet he argued that the colonists should rule themselves rather than be ruled by a King and that America could show the world a better form of government.

Thomas Paine's booklet was written so that all could understand and convinced the colonists to want their independence.

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This is a picture of the booklet that Thomas Paine wrote telling why the colonist should be independent of Great Britain

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12.4 - Writing the Declaration Of Independence

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12.4 - Writing the Declaration Of Independence

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What was the process of writing the Declaration Of Independence?

Delegates from Virginia proposed a resolution and it said that "these United Colonies are and by right out to be free and independent States."  The Congress chose five men to be a committee to write and explain why the colonies should be independent.  This happened on June 7, 1776.

The members argued for a few days about independence.  On July 2, the delegates voted to separate from Great Britain.  The Congress spent more time discussing each word of the declaration.  Some disagreed about using the term "slavery" as being a "cruel war against human nature" as Thomas Jefferson said.
Some of the changes angered Jefferson but they all agreed in order for them to become a united country.

On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the Declaration Of Independence

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This pictures shows the rough draft written before the final copy was finished.

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12.5 - Approving the Declaration Of Independence

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12.5 - Approving the Declaration Of Independence

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The delegates approved a handwritten copy of the declaration.  Some thought it was treason toward the King.  But John Hancock was the president of the congress and he warned the delegates that the must "all hang together"'  or stay united.  Benjamin Franklin said "we  must all hang  together, or we will hang separately."  They would be hung for treason as punishment.

John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration Of Independence, and then Thomas Jefferson and the others signed too. John Hancock signature became famous with people calling their signature their John Hancock. After signing, Congress sent copies of the declaration to all of the colonies and to the Continental Army. All patriots were excited and celebrated when they heard the news. They cheered in Philadelphia when it was read for the first time. Soldiers and citizens tore down a statue of King George III.

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Approving the Declaration Of Independence

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Approving the Declaration Of Independence

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I picked this picture because it is the final copy of the Declaration Of Independence and it shows the date it was approved.

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12.6 - Four excerpts from the Declaration Of Independence

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12.6 - Four excerpts from the Declaration Of Independence

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a.  The Congress wanted to explain why the colonists wanted to write the Declaration Of Independence.
b.  The next one listed all the rights the people should have,
c.  The third explain why the government exists.
d. The fourth was their complaint against King George III.

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Excerpts from the Declaration Of Independence

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Excerpts from the Declaration Of Independence

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This picture represents what was important to the colonists and the new flag.