Continental Congress

First Continental Congress Philadelphia - September 5 to October 26, 1774 Delegates from all of the colonies, except Georgia, were there Some were loyalists – some patriots All were upset with how they were being treated by the King 3 objectives: Create a statement of colonial rights identify how the British parliament was violating these rights Devise a plan for Britain to restore those rights Boycott all British goods Agreed to meet again in May 1775 if Great Britain did not change their policies

Battle of Lexington and Concord April 1775 Shot ‘heard round the world The war has begun You will be reading two accounts of the Battle of Lexington and Concord and answering questions with a partner.

Second Continental Congress May 10, 1775 Reconvened most of the original 56 delegates – Georgia came later June 14, 1775 - agreed to raise a continental army and appointed George Washington commander-in-chief July 6, 1775 - approved a Declaration of Causes outlining the rationale and necessity for taking up arms in the Thirteen Colonies July 8, 1775 - Congress extended the Olive Branch Petition to the British Crown as a final attempt at reconciliation. However, it was received too late to do any good.

Second Continental Congress Issued money, distributed funds, assigned ambassadors, signed treaties Could not collect taxes, so they had to ask/request money from the colonies Had to gather support from the colonial governments to declare independence July 4, 1776 – the Declaration of Independence was signed

Influences – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine – Common Sense pamphlet – Jan 1776 He declared, “I am not induced by motives of pride, party, or resentment to espouse the doctrine of separation and independence; I am clearly, positively, and conscientiously persuaded that it is the true interest of this continent to be so.” denounced the monarchy and argued that people are born into a state of equality There are no natural rulers among men Suggested a representative government Gave reasons why they should break away from England Gave all profits to the revolutionary cause

Influences – John Locke Belief in Natural Rights – rights given to man by God Life, liberty, and property

Activity – Declaration of Independence Open your textbooks to pg 60-64 Read the Declaration of Independence and answer the following questions: 1. What ideas about government does Thomas Jefferson express in the Declaration of Independence? 2. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson said that government should protect people’s rights. Why do you think the protection of rights was so important to Jefferson’s ideas about government?

3. What rights does Jefferson mention in the Declaration of Independence? What does each of these rights mean? Jefferson said that these rights were “unalienable.” What does this mean? 4. What contradictions do you see between the ideas in the Declaration of Independence and slavery, which existed in America at the time?

5. How do you think people made sense of these contradictions? 6. Do you see any contradictions in what people today believe and what they do? Explain.