AP Government -Module Notes- Chap 2 Part 1-

Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"

• The idea of separating with England was generally discarded by many of the colonists, including leaders as late an January 1776
  
• Penalties for treason, such as hanging, were severe and kept the colonists loyal
  
• The high taxes, strict regulations, and foreign soldiers weakened the allegiance to the crown
  
• Thomas Paine
  
  • One time corset maker and tax collector
    
  • Wrote 'Common Sense' in January 1776
    
    • Called the king a 'Royal Brute'
      
    • Paine was rude in his letter compared to previous ones sent by other colonialist, which were humble and gracious
      
    • Said the government was not Parliament, but a monarchy
      
    • Authority of all government officials should come from popular consent
      
    • Concept of an island ruling a continent deified naturla law
      
    • Called for an end to the colonists' political wavering over British rule and promoted the idea of an American republic where free citizens were in control
      
    • Within months of its release 150,000 copies of Common Sense circulated through the colonies
      
    • Inspired Patriots to break from tradition and support independence
      
  • Published another work called The American Crisis, No 1
    
    • From this comes the battle cry of the American Revolution
      

      
      

Declaration of Independence

• Prohibitory Act was passed by Britain in December 1775
  
  • Closed all colonial ports and defined resistance to the Crown as treason
    
  • 2nd Continental Congress responded by authorizing privateers to operate against British shipping
    
  • Discovered that the British were hiring foreign mercenaries to crush resistance
    
    • Thoughts of mercenaries colonists concluded that a peaceful reconciliation was not possible
      
• Continental Congress open trade ports to international trading
  
• June 7, 1776 Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced the idea that the US should be free
  
  • Said they should break from England, but Congress believed a more formal explanation was needed to unify the colonies, secure foreign assistance, and justify their actions to the world
    
  • Delegates from the middle colonies were reluctant to support the separation and postponed a vote
    
• Congress appointed a committee consisting of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson to prepare a formal declaration
  
  • Committee selected Jefferson to write the first draft
    
  • Final version submitted to congress on June 28th, 1776
    
• Jefferson's writing
  
  • Included several familiar ideas
    
  • Came from discussions on congress, writings of John Locke, government proclamation
    
  • Three Parts
    
    • Preamble: natural rights
      
      • People have right to overthrow government if they infringe their rights
        
    • Draws parallels with Common Sense
      
      • Lists the wrong doings of the king
        
    • Justifies colonists actions by documenting the colonists attempts at a peaceful resolution
      
      • Declared the colonies independence
        
• July 4th 1776, Congress approved the declaration
  
• Had influence on other countries
  
• Remains an inspiration to all
  

  
  

  Need to Know Terms:
  

• Common Sense: Thomas Paine's essay supporting the colonies split from England
  
• Declaration of Independence: Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and approved in 1776, stated grievances against the British monarch and declared independence
  
• Natural Rights: Rights inherent in human beings, not dependence on governments. Include life, liberty, and property.