Final answer:
While it is impossible to say for certain, it is likely that the Declaration of Independence might not have been adopted in July 1776 without the widespread influence of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, which effectively shifted public opinion and created a stronger collective will for American independence from British rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand is whether the Declaration of Independence would have come about in July 1776 without the influence of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, published earlier that year. By spring 1776, it is evident from historical records that opposition to independence had largely faded from the Continental Congress, due in no small part to the impact of Common Sense.
Paine's pamphlet, with its clear, direct language and compelling arguments, was pivotal in persuading many colonists that the time had come to break away from British rule and establish an independent, republican government.
Common Sense was unique in its accessibility to the average colonist, and its immense popularity played a critical role in shaping public opinion. After its publication, pivotal events in Congress, such as the recommendation to adopt state governments and the formation of a committee to draft a declaration, unfolded.
The Second Continental Congress ultimately adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a decision that was surely influenced by the widespread acceptance of Paine's arguments for self-governance and liberty.