The documents “Declaration of Independence,” “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine, and “Massachusetts Antislavery Petition” by Prince Hall all have something in common: independence. When reading these documents, the Declaration of Independence is the driving force behind all three. The document “Declaration of Independence” discusses the separation of the British government, declaring that “the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, are appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world... that these United Colonies are, and ought to be, free and independent states (Declaration of Independence)”. “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine argues for the support of American independence and how Great Britain portrays itself