Final answer:
Colonists reacted to the Declaration of Independence with mixed emotions; many, influenced by Paine's Common Sense, celebrated the decision, while Loyalists and others with strong ties to Britain felt trepidation. The Continental Congress's shift towards independence was embraced by most colonies, leading to the Revolutionary War and eventual American victory with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colonists had varied reactions to the Declaration of Independence when it was released on July 4, 1776. The shift towards a desire for independence was in large part catalyzed by the publication of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, which provided "simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense" regarding American independence. Additionally, legislative initiatives by the Continental Congress set the groundwork for state governments to replace colonial governance, thus facilitating autonomous rule.
Despite general enthusiasm, not all colonists were united in the celebration of independence. Many Loyalists and those with deep-seated ties to Britain were apprehensive or actively opposed to the rupture, preferring the established order over the uncertainty that rebellion brought. Nevertheless, the majority of the colonies accepted the need to become "free and independent states," as advocated by the Declaration. The new ethos of governance would be one that values the "consent of the governed," a republic borne out of Enlightenment principles and echoing the philosophies of social contract theorists like John Locke.
The subsequent military conflict, led by General George Washington, strongly supported the decision for independence as the Continental Army eventually secured victory against the British forces. The formal end to the conflict came with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, solidifying the status of the United States as an independent nation.