America Declares its Independence Chapter 2- -Set 2

**Once the First Continental Congress had enacted an embargo against Britain, they knew the king would not stand by and do nothing. -Colonists stockpile weapons -King George sends troops to find weapons and arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams -Battle of Lexington and Concord (“shot heard ‘round the world”) **American Revolution had begun.

Second Continental Congress -All 13 colonies attended -John Hancock elected president -Each colony had one vote -Took on powers of government and organized the colonies’ defense -Established an army with George Washington as commander -Borrowed and issued money, negotiated treaties, created a navy. -Wanted to find a way to keep ties with Britain

Declaring Independence -Richard Henry Lee proposed a resolution that the colonies should be free -Committee was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence -Thomas Jefferson did the actual writing -Declaration was approved on July 4, 1776

Purpose of the Declaration of Independence Explained the ideas and philosophy that justified America’s break with Great Britain It rallied world sentiment in favor of the American colonists 3. Helped unify American public opinion.

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,……..

Declaration of Independence Part 1 -Listed many of the basic principles of American democracy -limited gov’t -representative gov’t -individual liberty, -rule by law. -peoples’ natural rights- to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence - -Part 2 -Detailed list of charges against King George -Intended to show exactly how the British gov’t had violated basic rights of the colonists. -quartering troops in homes -imposed taxes without consent of the people -denied the right to trial by jury -abolished elected legislatures

Declaration of Independence- -Part 3 **Explains: -the colonists’ efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement -the British government’s stubbornness -the Americans’ resolve to be free **The document was approved. -John Hancock signed first. -56 men signed the Declaration. -This action made them traitors to Britain

**The American Revolution lasts from 1775-1783. **Colonies will next set out to make a government for the new nation.