1. 2 chapter 6-2 colonies declare independence legislature – law-making group declare – to...
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Chapter 6-2 Colonies Declare Independence Legislature – law-making
group Declare – to strongly state
something Declaration – a forceful,
strong statement Independence – to have
freedom to make your own choices and have control over what happens to you
Preamble – introduction – usually for an official document; often gives reasons for document being written
Declaration of Independence – Document that made our break with England official
Natural Rights – rights that belong to all people from birth
COMMON SENSE Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine Urged colonists to declare independence Listed reasons why it was only “common
sense” to be our own country Paine said the idea of kings and queens was
wrong & that the colonies didn’t owe their loyalty to England
Convinced many colonists to side with Patriots
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Chapter 6-2 Colonies Declare Independence Treason –
betraying one’s country
Traitor – Someone who betrays his or her country
Capital crime – a crime for which the penalty is death
CONGRESS VOTES FOR INDEPENDENCE June 1776, Continental Congress decides to
vote for independence from England A difficult decision – all would be called traitors
by England; they would be committing treason, a capital crime
Appointed a committee to tell the world why they were declaring independence
Committee chose Thomas Jefferson to write it DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Signed July 4, 1776, Independence Hall,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania All 13 colonies had delegates sign it John Hancock was president of Continental
Congress – signed largely and boldly Was distributed throughout the colonies
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Chapter 6-2 Colonies Declare Independence DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Made up of preamble and three main parts Natural Rights – First main part of the
document States that certain rights are ours from birth
and that if the government violates them, it’s the right and duty of the people to over-throw the government
British Wrongs - Second part of document Condemns king for putting soldiers in colonies
during peacetime and for breaking up the colonial legislatures (law-making groups)
Lists many of the British “wrongs” and says colonists had the right to rebel
Also said that king had a chance to fix the mistakes but chose not to do so
Independence – Third and final part of document
States that we break all ties with England Calls colonies the United States of America Declares full independence as a country
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Chapter 6-2 Colonies Declare Independence
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Chapter 6-2 Colonies Declare Independence