Common Sense
by Courtney Sensa
In the mid 1700s, or the "Age of Enlightenment", many authors were making booklets, pamphlets, and articles about their ideas about independence and other ideas. One man, Thomas Paine, wanted to prove his point about why America should have independence. He made a pamphlet about this topic called Common Sense. It clearly, in simple language, explained that it was common sense that America should be free since Great Britain wasn't doing a great "parenting" job. Soon it became popular throughout the colonies and many more people believed in being free.
Is slavery good or no?
by Sue Slavehunter
There were many different opinions about slavery. People in the South supported it, because they had many plantations and cotton fields, and they needed help for it. One man, Thomas Jefferson, had many conflicting views about it:
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Towards Slavery:
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-Bought and sold slaves, made money off of them
-Didn't think that Blacks and Whites could live together in peace and equality
-Thought that he could delay the matter of slavery till later
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Against Slavery:
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-He criticized King George III for allowing slavery
-Wanted to include it in the Declaration of Independence
-Thought slavery was bad for slaves and owners.
-Led efforts to stop importing more slaves
-wanted to abolish it and opposed the spread of slavery
 American flag waving patriotically |
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Continental Congresses
by Conena Congo
September 1774
First Continental Congress
Leaders from 12 colonies (excluding Georgia) met in Philadelphia to discuss their complaints against Britain and they angrily agreed to fight against some of the Intolerable Acts.
Differences
-discussed ACTS
-finding problems
-agreeing to fight
Similarities
-both in Philadelphia
-both discussed Great Britain
-in both sessions, people were against Great Britain
May 10, 1775
Second Continental Congress
Leaders from all states were invited to Philadelphia, PA to discuss the upcoming war
Differences
-discussed WAR
-prepared to carry out solutions
-talked about independence
Founding Fathers
by Bob the proud patriot
Many people helped America gain its freedom. These people wrote and finalized the Declaration of Independence. They are: John Hancock, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Read more about them in the People tab
The Colonial Times
Join or Die was a cartoon in a newspaper drawn by Benjamin Franklin, The snake is divided into pieces to represent main colonies. This cartoon says that divided, the colonies are nothing, but if they join together, they can be a snake-like enemy.