The Declaration of Independence and The American Revolution

Knights Charge 10/5 On the back of your Knights Charge paper, answer the following questions after reading the following: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness –” What does self-evident mean? What does unalienable mean? What are rights that all humans have that are given to them by God? Why do you think the Americans included this line in the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence Drafted by Thomas Jefferson Signed by the 2nd Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 Formally declared a break from Great Britain

Declaration of Independence continued… What do you think was meant by the following sentence… “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…”

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness –”

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…”

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces design reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and provide new guards for their security.”

The American Revolution

Tale of the Tape: Americans vs. British Location Size Money Military Foreign Support Strategy X-Factor- Passion to Fight

General George Washington Americans were led by General George Washington Although inexperienced, his leadership was vital in American victory

Battle of Lexington and Concord April 18, 1775 First battle of the American revolution took place at at Lexington and Concord Known as the “Shot heard around the world” Proved the Americans could fight the British

Lexington and Concord Massachusetts Bay Colony Great Britain   Massachusetts Bay Colony Great Britain Troops Involved 477 500 Killed 49 73 Wounded 39 154 Missing 5 53

Paul Revere Alerted the townspeople of Boston that the British were coming “One by land and two by sea”

The Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 Happened during the British attack on Boston Even though the British were victorious, Americans fought well Greatly improved the morale of the war effort

Siege of Boston and New York Colonists were able to successfully defend Boston Failed to do so in New York

Washington crosses the Delaware Washington carries out a surprise attack on the British in New Jersey Greatly inspired the colonists

Valley Forge American troops led by Washington had to survive brutal winter in 1777 Their survival showed both Washington’s greatness as a leader and American perseverance

The Battle of Saratoga October 7, 1777 Major turning point in favor for America during the war

Battle of Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse January 17, 1781 and March 15, 1781 Both battles pushed the British army led by Charles Cornwallis north into Virginia

Yorktown With the help of the French, the Americans trapped the British in Yorktown, Virginia Led to American victory over Britain Treaty of Paris ended American Revolution

Effects of War 1. Independence from Britain 2. Problems a. War Debt b. New Government? c. Rebuiling the country d. Relationship with Great Britain and other countries e. Slavery?