Issue of Independence Why Olive Branch? Olive Tree Branches are an old symbol of peace. Colonists wanted peace to return.

Olive Branch Petition King George III was sent a petition or written request. The petition stated that the colonists would be loyal and begged for an end to the fight. King George says NO WAY!!!

COMMON SENSE The rejection caused people to consider two options: surrender fight for independence Common Sense: 50 page pamphlet Written by: Thomas Paine

Main Point of Common Sense Reasons to break away from Britain and the monarchy. No advantages to stay together. Showed all the wrongs that Britain has committed against the colonies Independence would allow for a new government.

Words that persuaded our freedom 4. Independence would allow for economy to grow. 5. Compares Britain as the parent and the colonies as the child needing to break away. Changed the mind of a nation!!!

The Declaration of Independence All was completed in the 2nd Continental Congress. Accepted July 4th, 1776 Overall Purpose: Officially cut ties with Britain. (emancipation papers)

Four Sections Preamble: Purpose—We the People… Political ideas/Principles---Rights of the people John Locke: unalienable rights (life, liberty, property/happiness) Social contract (consent of the governed/people) Popular sovereignty: ordinary people can and should govern themselves

…Four Sections 3. Grievances or unfair actions of the King towards the colonies. Lists steps taken by colonies to settle disputes. Ex: Olive Branch Petition 4. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE!!! States that the 13 colonies are free and independent states. Breaks away all ties with Britain

Signers of the Declaration of Independence (page one) South Carolina: Edward Rutledge Thomas Heyward, Jr. Thomas Lynch, Jr. Arthur Middleton Maryland: Samuel Chase William Paca Thomas Stone Charles Carroll of Carrollton Georgia: Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall George Walton North Carolina: William Hooper Joseph Hewes John Penn Massachusetts: John Hancock

Signers of the Declaration of Independence (page two) Virginia: George Wythe Richard Henry Lee Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Harrison Thomas Nelson, Jr. Francis Lightfoot Lee Carter Braxton Pennsylvania: Robert Morris Benjamin Rush Benjamin Franklin John Morton George Clymer James Smith George Taylor James Wilson George Ross

Signers of the Declaration of Independence (page three) Delaware: Caesar Rodney George Read Thomas McKean New York: William Floyd Philip Livingston Francis Lewis Lewis Morris New Jersey: Richard Stockton John Witherspoon Francis Hopkinson John Hart Abraham Clark New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett William Whipple

Signers of the Declaration of Independence (page four) Massachusetts: Samuel Adams John Adams Robert Treat Paine Elbridge Gerry Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins William Ellery Connecticut: Roger Sherman Samuel Huntington William Williams Oliver Wolcott New Hampshire: Matthew Thornton

The Thirteen Colonies of America

Have you ever wondered what happened to those men who signed the Declaration of Independence? 5 signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. The Price They Paid

Bibliography American History http://www.ctssar.org/articles/price_paid.htm http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/declaration_transcript.html http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/images/committ.jpg http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/declara2.html http://www.colonialhall.com/biodoi.asp http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/images/voting.jpg http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h669.html http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h670.html