Toward Independence

The Olive Branch Petition:
-A petition sent to King George III asking him to end the quarrel
-Sent from the Second Continental Congress
-The king declared the colonies be in "open and avowed rebellion" and ordered his ministers to "bring the traitors to justice"
-"We must be independent or slaves" embodies the colonists thoughts after the petition

Common Sence:
-Thomas Paine published it
-It basically said that Americans owed loyalty to King George
-It helped persuade thousands of colonists that independence was not only sensible, but the key to a brighter future