Declaring Independence Section Four

A) The second Continental congress

Second Continental Congress In May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met with many more influential leaders attending: John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, etc.

Franklin Hancock Jefferson More Leaders Emerge

One of the main goals of this Congress was the creation of a continental army with George Washington as the commander. Washington The Continental Army

Olive Branch Petition Another goal of the Second Continental Congress was to create the Olive Branch Petition. This was meant as a final offering of peace to King George III and the British government. The King refused to even read this document!

British Army Strengthens King George continued to raise his own British Army and he hired 30,000 German “Hessian” soldiers. These men were mercenaries. British Army Strengthens

German Hessian Soldiers

Americans Attack Canada Americans decide to take offensive measures and attack first. American troops attack Montreal and seize the city. Next, they attack Quebec and fail.

In March of 1776, Washington led the Continental Army into Boston after bombarding the city. He forced the British General William Howe to retreat to Nova Scotia in Canada.

Thomas Paine & Common Sense Earlier in the year, Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense that said the Americans had every right to have independence. This inspired many Americans.

B) Declaring Independence The question of independence was the main issue of the Second Continental Congress. The Congress was divided because they didn’t know if they would win the war.

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Independence The Congress created a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence and named Thomas Jefferson, the youngest member, as its author.

John Locke Jefferson used the ideas of John Locke, who said that people had the right to life, liberty, and property and that people establish governments to protect these rights and can change it if they are not protected.

July 4, 1776

Declaration of Independence On July 4, 1776; the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was passed and signed by the 56 members and copies were sent to all of the colonies. Declaration of Independence

Parts of the Declaration Preamble (Opening) Natural Rights of Man Abuses of the King (List of Grievances) Final Statement of Independence Parts of the Declaration

East & West Florida Remain Loyal The 13 colonies all accepted the Declaration of Independence. East and West Florida refused and stayed loyal to England.