T1+-+6.2A

T1 - 6.2A: Kjay Shieu, Jimmy Smith, Nick Natko (Congress Votes for Independence) **CONGRESS DECLARES INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITIAN **

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA August 5, 1776

From the beginning of when the continental congress was formed they have been fighting for the liberties and rights of the colonies. They first met because of the Intolerable Acts to help the colonies survive. They then started to plan if they should separate from Britain. They started this on June 7th 1776. Then they met on July 1st to actually vote to the matter. Delegates from every colony came to the congress. They came back each day to vote on the important decisions of becoming independent and what should happen when war occurred. On July 4th Thomas Jefferson’s edited version of the Declaration of Independence was adopted to be used. 12 of the 13 colonies voted to become independent. Then copies were made and sent to the colonies for independence. This was the beginning of America’s revolution to becoming independent.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense was published in January, 1776. It talked about why the colonies should separate from Great Britain. He said the colonists did not owe anything to the king or any other person. He believed that the very idea of having a king or queen rule them was wrong. After the writing of Common Sense, many colonists liked the idea of independence. Richard Henry Lee was one person who wanted to separate from Great Britain. He voiced his opinions in front of the Continental Congress, on June 7, 1776.

Richard Henry Lee’s proposition called for America to separate from Great Britain. Because of his resolution, congress has decided to appoint a committee of five to write a declaration of independence. This committee consisted of Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. Once he finished the draft Ben Franklin and John Adams revised it, and insisted on editing the declaration. Thomas Jefferson disagreed with this, but he let them anyway. Once the draft was complete, the group of five presented it to the congress on July 2. The congress finally adopted the declaration of independence on July 4.

They ordered for the document to be printed, and sent to all the colonies. They didn’t actually sign the declaration until August 2. John Hancock, who was the president of the continental congress, signed his name first, in big letters. 55 of the delegates signed the document, but a few didn’t. Patriots were glad that the congress declared independence, and they celebrated.

One of the main contributors to the writing of the declaration of independence is “Common Sense” This was the first thing that defied Britain. Then the Richard Henry Lee resolution came, which is the basis of the declaration. Once they selected the group of five, congress knew there was no stopping now. The group of five believe that this is the right thing to do. They say without the declaration of independence the colonies will continue to spiral downward. They also included that this is the time to become free. The congress will now send the declaration off to the king too see what his response is. The signers now believe that the best way to help support the declaration of independence is to fight for freedom. They believe with the right tactics and approach we can overthrow this corrupt government.