By May 1776 the independence struggle hinged on the middle colonies

Evidence

Late in 1775, after Congress authorized New Hampshire to replace its royal charter with a republican constitution, Dickinson secured instructions from the Pennsylvania Assembly directing its congressional delegation to “dissent from and utterly reject any propositions, should such be made, that may cause or lead to a separation from our Mother Country.” New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland soon issued similar instructions for their delegations. In May 1776, with these instructions by four of the five middle colonies standing as a barrier to independence for all, Congress adopted its revolutionary resolution on independent governments calling on all colonies to free themselves of British authority. — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 180 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Leading patriots delayed independence until all colonies could agree — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 160; Assembly instructions constrained four middle colonies’ delegates against independence — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 180

Broader Connections

• Assembly instructions constrained four middle colonies’ delegates against independence #expands (0.95) — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 180