Independence

Loyalists

• Loyal to the crown of BritainWhy would they stay loyal?1. Believed it was wrong to rebel2. Feared losing profitable trade with Britain3. Family was still in Britain

Patriots

• Wanted independence from Britain• 1/3 to ½ colonists were Patriots.Why did they want this?1. Wanted representative government2. Freedom of religion3. Wanted trade with whomever they wished

Neutral

• Everyone else was neutral

Common Sense

• Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine• It outlined the reasons that America should

separate from Britain

Declaration of Independence

• A committee of 5 men were chosen to write the Declaration of Independence

• Primary writer was Thomas Jefferson• Approved by Congress on July 4, 1776

Franklin, Adams and Jefferson working on constitution

The drafting committee presenting its work