Final answer:
True, Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' was published in 1776 and the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, within a six-month period after the publication of the pamphlet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that "Within 6 months of the publication of Thomas Paine's pamphlet, the Second Continental Congress had declared independence and signed the Declaration of Independence." is true. Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet, Common Sense, was published in 1776 and played a critical role in shaping public opinion towards the idea of independence. By spring of 1776, opposition to independence within the Congress had largely dissipated, in part due to the persuasive arguments presented in Paine's pamphlet. In May 1776, the Second Continental Congress took decisive steps towards independence, including the recommendation for colonies to establish their own governments and the formation of a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was then released and approved by Congress on July 4, 1776, marking the official separation of the Thirteen Colonies from British rule.