Beginning+The+World+Over+Again



Beginning "The World Over Again"
by Jerry Lee, Eeho Choi

__ Main Points __
 * Congress discusses the possibility of Independence as early as May 1775.
 * Some like John Adams are very intent on severing ties with Great Britain early, but Congress remains loyal to Great Britain.
 * On December of that year, Great Britain passes to Prohibitory Act, that prohibited American trade with the rest of the world, thus justifying the revolution a little more.
 * Thomas Paine writes an argument for revolution in his bestselling essay //Common Sense,// that got out the rebellious sentiments out to the masses and united common Americans of all backgrounds against the English.
 * On July 2, 1776, Congress votes for Independence and declares Separation from Great Britain.

__ Indecision __

Second Continental Congress held a meeting in Philadelphia in a year before American Independence, May 1775. Since the colonists needed strong mastermind, and since the British Government had almost ceased to function in the war, Congress took control of the war almost reluctantly. George Washington was appointed the commander in chief. George Washington was the only one with sufficient military experience to turn the tides. Delegates chose Washington as the commander not just because of his excellency as tactician, but because they were looking for someone not from Massachusetts. Delegates thought Massachusetts was a colony that already had too much power.

Congress supported with supplies, but not all of them were spirited patriots. Some wanted to remain loyal while some wanted independence. They had come to no conclusion and reached indecision. John Adams was one of those who were unsatisfied with Congress's unstable mind. There were people that wanted to end the relationship with the British, but numerous of them thought it was foolish. Those who remained loyal assumed that Britain's aid is necessary for their growth while the others thought British were using them as a tool. Those in favor of the revolution like John Adams suggested that since the colonies print paper money and supply themselves with military supplies, that they already had the powers of a sovereign government. But while some like Adams were willing to sever ties with Britain, trying to become independent too hasty may have caused the colonies to become associated with extremism, and thus making it look more like an overthrow rather than an organized opinion of a nation. __ Britain's actions __

Britain's actions at this time period created a lot of rebels in the colonies. In December 1775, Parliament passed the Prohibitory Act. British naval force blockaded the ports creating isolation from outside world.



They also hired Germans to take down the rebels. In Virginia, the royal governor Lord Dunmore urged the slaves into rising up against their American masters to create conflict between the classes. The conflict seemed inevitable now. __ Thomas Paine and Common Sense __

Thomas Paine is one of those who made independence occur. His meet with Benjamin Franklin inspired him to become a leading patriot. One of Paine's remarkable work is Common Sense. Common Sense is an essay that states colony is destined to be independent from tyrannical redcoats.Common Sense was an instant best-seller selling over 120 thousand copies in just three months. This accessibility to the public was very important because this helped transform the discontent with the England rule from something from a small community of people in congress to many common day Americans. Common sense was a powerful democratic essay that struck constitution and monarchy. It also argues that the parent country of America is Europe, and not England, citing the America's very diverse population. This ressonated with and inspired the large German population in Pennsylvania, and suggested that the English-American, Irish-Scot-American, and the German-Americans could unite under one banner. Paine gave the colonists courage to become an independent republic. __ The Delclaration of Independence __

July 2, 1776, two days before the independence, Congress finally agreed to declare independence after a long and tedious debate. 12 states approved, no states voted against, and New York abstained. Thomas Jefferson, a Virginian Lawyer, drafted Declaration of Independence which consisted many factors that was against George III and the government. Its principle was "all men are created equal" Declaration of Independence is and many consider this the strongest document that demands equality to all human beings of all of the documents of this time, including the United States Constitution.