Chapter 6 Lesson 4 (Part One)

The Spirit of Independence

McGraw Hill Chapter 6 Lesson 4

Open Ended

Why did the American colonies declare independence?

Richard Henry Lee proposed that the colonies declare independence from Britain. The Committee of Five was chosen to create an official document and Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft.

Jefferson drew on the ideas of English philosopher John Locke who believed that people are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

The Declaration of Independence has four major sections. The introduction is known as the Preamble.

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​A New Nation

The Committee of Five of the Second Continental Congress drafted and presented what became known as the Declaration of Independence. The committee was made up of Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, John Adams of Massachusetts, Robert R. Livingston of New York, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut.

​The Committee of Five

+ On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted on Lee's resolution for independence. Twelve colonies voted for independence. New York did not vote but later announced its support.

+ After making some changes, the delegates approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

+ 56 delegates signed the document announcing the birth of the United States.

+ George Washington had the Declaration read to his troops in New York City on July 9.

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