1. Moving Toward Independence
Chapter 5 Section 4
Moving Toward Independence

2. 2nd Continental Congress
May 10, 1775
Many delegates not ready to break away from GB

3. Ben Franklin One of the most respected men in the colonies
Member of Pennsylvania legislature
Represented colonists in London in 1765 to secure the repeal of the Stamp Act

4. John Hancock Massachusetts Wealthy merchant Funded many patriot groups
President of the 2nd Continental Congress

5. Thomas Jefferson
Brilliant thinker and writer
Virginia legislator

6. Actions of 2nd Continental Congress
Began to govern colonies
Ok’d the printing of money
Set up a post office (Franklin in charge)
Established committees
Created Continental Army
Selected George Washington as army’s commander

7. Olive Branch Petition
Congress sent a petition (formal request) to George III
Assured king of desire for peace
Asked for protection of colonists rights
George refused to receive the document
Prepared for war – hired 30,000 German troops to fight with British

8. Thomas Paine January 1776 published Common Sense
Called for complete independence
“Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ‘tis time to part.”

9. Richard Henry Lee Delegate from Virginia
“That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States… and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”
Resolution approved July 2, 1776

10. Declaration of Independence
Jefferson selected to write
Ben Franklin and John Adams helped
Some ideas came from English philosopher John Locke
Approved with some changes on July 4, 1776
56 delegates signed

11. John Hancock
Signed Declaration large enough for King George III to read it without glasses.

12. Declaration 4 main parts Preamble (introduction)
Declaration of Natural Rights
List of Grievances (complaints)
Resolution of Independence