Aim: How did the Declaration of Independence reflect injustices in the past as well as hope for the future? Do Now: List three Enlightenment thinkers and explain on belief of each. Objectives: Evaluate Language used by Thomas Jefferson Evaluate the rationale of the declaration’s structure HW: Complete enlightenment handout.

Last try for peace July 5, 1775 - The Continental Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition which expresses hope for a reconciliation with Britain, appealing directly to the King for help in achieving this. In August, King George III refuses even to look at the petition and instead issues a proclamation declaring the Americans to be in a state of open rebellion.

Enlightenment: Open your course reader to page 23

Declaration of Independence Activity. Read your assigned section. For each claim written by Jefferson, write down the historical event he is writing. Be ready to share in 10 minutes.

he has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. this piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidel powers, is the warfare of the CHRISTIAN king of Great Britain. determined to keep open a market where MEN should be bought & sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce:[11] and that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom he also obtruded them; thus paying off former crimes committed against the liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another.

Battle of Bunker Hill American troops are dug in along the high ground of Breed's Hill (the actual location) and are attacked by a frontal assault of over 2000 British soldiers who storm up the hill. The Americans are ordered not to fire until they can see "the whites of their eyes." As the British get within 15 paces, the Americans let loose a deadly volley of rifle fire and halt the British advance. The British then regroup and attack 30 minutes later with the same result. A third attack, however, succeeds as the Americans run out of ammunition and are left only with bayonets and stones to defend themselves. The British succeed in taking the hill, but at a loss of half their force, over a thousand casualties, with the Americans losing about 400, including important colonial leader, General Joseph Warren.

Advantages and Disadvantages British Advantages “American” Advantages.

Loyalists Open your books to your page to 27

Battle of New York New York is desired due to warm ports and high population. Washington is moves to meet General Howe in battle.

Battle of Harlem Heights September, 16, 1776 – The British then pursued Washington and his troops into Manhattan. Washington withdrew to Harlem Heights and British and American troops fought a non-decisive battle there on September 16th.

Battle of White Plains and Capture of Fort Washington and Fort Lee A month later, Howe then attempted to encircle Washington again. Washington retreated but encountered the British at White Plains on October 28th. Howe does not pursue Washington further, but rather returns to Manhattan and takes Fort Washington and Fort Lee. Americans have a large cache of military stores at Fort Washington, including 100 cannons and 1000s of muskets. Since these are manufactured in Britain, they cannot be replaced. Howe is often criticized for not pursuing Washington. Many military strategists believe that he could have brought the war to an end. But Howe takes Long Island and Manhattan and kills or captures over 5000 Americans. He also captures many of their supplies. As Americans retreat, the city is burned (possibly by Americans trying to prevent the British from making use of the resources in the city). The battles of New York teach Washington that he must avoid direct, decisive confrontations with the British.

Trenton: December 25th 1776. Washington (along with John Glover Henry Knox, Alexander Hamilton)has retreated from NYC. Desires to cross the Delaware River at Trenton to attack a band of Hessians (Prussian Mercenaries) Needs a victory to get soldiers to reenlist. The continental Army surprises the Hessians and achieves an easy victory