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Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"

Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies’ many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God’s providence and truth.     

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies' many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God's providence and truth.     

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one third of the population was loyal to Britain.  Washington's army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies started winning on Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one-third of the population was loyal to Britain and another significant percentage were pacifist [[Quakers]].  Washington's army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium for a football game.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies did not start winning until Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  The winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, although they were not ratified until 1781.  The government they instituted was weak, however with no president or courts, and unanimous approval required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation to govern the colonies, but they were not ratified until 1781.  The government they instituted was weak, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.

At Saratoga in upstate NY in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, making a huge victory for the colonies.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly then, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  That was the turning point because the French then entered on our side.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, because the French then entered on our side.

The Franco-American Alliance ended French Neutrality in 1778.  Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in achieving this alliance, which became one of the biggest reasons why the Americans won the war.  Due to Franklin's efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies' victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies' independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.  Franklin had other significant achievements.  He wrote Poor Richard's Almanac, invented the Franklin stove for heating, and started the first library.   

The Franco-American Alliance ended French Neutrality in 1778.  Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in achieving this alliance, which became one of the biggest reasons why the Americans won the war.  Due to Franklin's efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies' victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies' independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.  Franklin had other significant achievements.  He wrote Poor Richard's Almanac, invented the Franklin stove for heating, and started the first library.