Toward Independence

The Olive Branch Petition:

- The Olive Branch Petition was a petition that Congress sent to George III asking him to end the quarrel. John Adams called the petition "Olive Branch," because Olive tree branches are an ancient symbol of peace.
- The king's response was that he had declared the colonies to be in"open and avowed rebellion." He ordered his ministers "to bring the traitors to justice."
- The quote that embodies the colonists thoughts after the petition is "we must be independent on our slaves."

Common Sense:

- The Olive Branch Petition was a pamphlet by Thomas Paine.
-Basically, the pamphlet was about how Americans owed loyalty to King George, he also attacked the argument that the colonies tried to benefit Americans, lastly he ended with a vision of an independent America as a homeland of Liberty.
- Paine's arguments helped persuade thousands of colonists that independence was not only sensible, but the key to a brighter future.