1. Ideas Help Start a Revolution
Chapter 4 Section 2
Ideas Help Start a Revolution

2. Colonies hover between peace and war
May 1775
Second Continental Congress
John Adams – Each colony create own government and be independent from one another
Name militiamen “Continental Army” & name a general to lead them
43-year-old George Washington is their leader
Congress authorizes printing of paper money to pay troops

3. Battle of bunker hill June 17, 1775
British General Thomas Gage sends 2,400 British troops up Breed’s hill
Colonists held fire for a while, but began shooting down redcoats
Surviving British attacked twice more
Won the third time because the Continental Army ran low on ammunition
Colonists lost 450 men, British lost over 1,000

4. Olive branch petition Still felt loyal to King George III July 8, 1775
Sent Olive Branch Petition to king urging to return to the peace they once had
King George III rejected it
Said colonies were in rebellion
Wants parliament to send a naval blockade

5. Patriots declare independence
Common Sense
Anonymous, 50-page pamphlet
Written by Thomas Paine
Colonists need to claim America as being independent
Gives them the chance to create a better society with social and economic opportunities for all
America’s “destiny”
Would allow them to trade with other countries and receive aid from Britain’s enemies
Sold nearly 500,000 copies

6. Declaring independence
North Carolina declares itself independent
Virginians favored independence also
2nd Continental Congress urges each colony to create own government
Thomas Jefferson was chosen to speak on behalf of the committee

7. Declaration of Independence
Natural rights – Life, Liberty, pursuit of Happiness
Derive power from the people
“alter or abolish” any government that threatened these principles
“All men are created equal”
Political equals
Not same abilities or equal wealth
Not meant for: women, Native-Americans, or African-Americans

8. 1st draft : attacked Slave Trade
South Carolina and Georgia objected
Why?
Eliminated from final draft
July 2, 1776
Unanimous vote that colonies are free
July 4, 1776
Adopted Declaration of Independence
Document is read to crowd of people called Patriots – supporters of independence

9. Americans choose sides
Loyalists and Patriots
Loyalists
those who remained loyal to the Crown
Often changed sides
Some stayed loyal because of their ties to the King (governors, judges)
Others because they thought Britain would win
Thought the crown could protect their rights better than the colonial government

10. Farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, elected officials
Patriots
Farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, elected officials
Made up half the population
Taking Sides
Quakers supported Patriots
African Americans – patriots usually
Some for loyalists because they were promised freedom