Great Britain had been enacting a new series of taxes, including the cost of occupying the colonies

Yet, there was no representation in the British parliament – as was typical of the Empire

Further Britain moved to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party protest of 1774

King George declared “Blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent”.

DofI adopted by the Continental Congress on 4th of July, 1776

13 American Colonies regarded themselves as independent states no longer part of the British Empire

British King, George III

Led by John Adams

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson

Adjustments by John Adams and Ben Franklin

Formal explanation of why the Congress of states had decided to declare themselves free of England

Philadelphia, Penn. State House in 1775, in what is now called “Independence Hall”

In early 1776, Thomas Paine published “Common Sense”. He was English, new to the colonies and was a critic of the monarchy and hereditary rule

The Pamphlet was new and radical and very popular – and fueled talk of Independence from England

Meanwhile Colonial leaders had NO mandate to separate and had been appointed or elected in a variety of ways

They still needed such a green light to pursue such a detachment altogether and were facing an all out response from Great Britain, complete with German mercenaries

For many months this politicking ensued trying to get formal support to bring back to Philadelphia

Thomas Jefferson chosen to draft a declaration of indepence – and only about a week to do it!

Build on the legal philosophers of the time, Hobbes and Bentham

Declared certain natural and unchangeable (“unalienable”) legal rights

Began with the beautiful: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”

Continues with arguments against arbitrary government and for the Rule of Law and the concept of democratic government

Left OUT a criticism of the Slave Trade! (Jefferson had wanted it included…)