The Declaration of Independence

Question 1

Who wrote “Common Sense” and when was it published?

Answer 1

Thomas Paine, a man who was born in England and migrated to America in 1774, where he quickly became involved in radical politics.
“Common Sense” was published in January 1776.

Question 2

3 points

What arguments where put foreward in “Common Sense”

Answer 2

• That all Americans should gain Independence, unite and embrace a republican form of government.
• Made the fight for independence seem noble and utopian - argued that if they achieved it Americans could create a perfect society.
• Discredited George III (whom people had previously seen as an ally), called him a “royal brute” with “blood on his hands”.

Question 3

3 points

What made the arguments in “Common Sense” so radical?

Answer 3

• Argued for unity of the 13 states, which was dubious since they often bickered. Claimed that a combination of immidiate independence, unity and a repuclican government was key for success.
• Portrayed the monarchy as a fraud, which was radical since many people still proclaimed loyalty to the monarchy.
• Said that with independence America could become the centre of the new world, not a place on the fringe of an empire.

Question 4

5 points

Why did “Common Sense” makes such a major impact on Colonial Opinion?

Answer 4

• Written to be accessible and only quoted the bible (majority of target audience was religeous).
• Helped people get over fear of independence.
• People liked the idea of being at the centre of a new era.
• Was radical but didn’t alienate anyone.
• First 1000 copies sold out in 2 weeks.

Question 5

4 points

Why did the Colonists decide to declare independence in July 1776?

Answer 5

• The spread of ideas in favour of independence.
• British actions.
• Independence would make it easier to gain foreign support.
• Pressure from Colonial Assemblies.

Question 6

4 points

How did the spread of ideas in favour of independence convince the colonies to declare independence?

Answer 6

• Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
• John Adams’ “Thoughts on Government”: set out a plan for independence, including the protection of liberties based on separation of powers.
• Ideas of John Locke (contractual theory of government).
• These ideas provided intellectual justification for severing ties with Britain.

Question 7

3 points

How did British Actions convince the colonies to declare independence?

Answer 7

• British actions undermined efforts for reconciliation e.g:
• Rejection of the Olive Branch Petition.
• The Prohibitory Act (Feb 1776) - said all American merchant ships could be seized as propertty of “open enemies”.

Question 8

2 points

How did the ease to gain foreign support convince the colonies to declare independence?

Answer 8

• French said that they would not support the patriots until they declared independence and formed a union.
• Independence very important since in May the British sent an army of 32,000 men and 100 ships to crush the rebelion.

Question 9

2 points

How did pressure from colonial assemblies convince the colonies to declare independence?

Answer 9

• In the summer of 1776, many colonial assemblies pressured their representatives at the continental congress to declare independence.
• In practice, independence was already a reality: royal governors had fled, congress and colonies were in charge of government.