Declaring Independence Chapter 8 Section 1

Looking back over the long struggle for independence, John Adams wrote: “The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was affected from 1760 to 1775… before a drop of blood was drawn at Lexington.” What do you think Adams meant by this?

Recap Some still hoped for a peaceful solution, others ready for war. News of April 19, 1775, skirmish at Lexington and Concord spread throughout the north. Within days 10,000-15,000 militia members surrounded Boston to prevent movement by the British Army. Some still hoped for a peaceful solution, others ready for war.

Second Continental Congress In May, 1775 the Second Continental Congress met as planned. Sent King George a petition called the Olive Branch Petition declaring their loyalty to the king. Organized an army called the Continental Army with George Washington in command.

King George III’s reaction to all this--- The King was furious; believed colonists were trying to gain independence and sent 20,000 more troops to crush the revolt. Congress would not know about king’s response for months. However - Samuel and John Adams believed war was inevitable. John Adams Samuel Adams

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Side Sides America 15k to 20k Soldiers Advantages Disadvantages Lacked discipline and training. Few cannons, little gunpowder, no navy. Few colonists were willing to enlist for long terms. Britain 50k Soldiers Far from home and fighting on unfamiliar land. Constantly attacked by the Colonists hiding in the wilderness. Fighting on familiar land. Believed in the cause and were determined to defend their homes. George Washington was a brilliant military commander. Most powerful navy in the world. Well trained and led by officers with proven battle experience. Hired professional German soldiers called Hessians.

The Green Mountain Boys As the congress organized the new army, rebel colonists took action. Ethan Allen, a Vermont blacksmith, led a band called the Green Mountain Boys in a surprise attack of Fort Ticonderoga. While the British slept Allen and his group crawled through a broken wall and surprised the British. Ethan Allen, with drawn sword, capturing Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775,

Much Needed Supplies Capturing Fort Ticonderoga gave the Continental Army a valuable supply of ammunition and 50 cannons. Cannons are hauled to Boston by Ox teams.

Boston 6,000 British troops controlled Boston. Colonial militia surrounded the city preventing the British from marching out. At sunset on June 16, 1775, Colonel William Prescott led 1,200 minutemen to take a position on Bunker Hill in Charleston, across the river from Boston. From Bunker Hill they could fire on British ships in Boston’s harbor

Breed’s Hill Breed’s Hill was an even better position. Prescott ordered his men to dig trenches and be ready to fight at dawn.

Fighting Starts on Breed’s Hill At sunrise on June 17, 1775, about 2,000 British soldiers carrying heavy packs struggled up Breed’s Hill. Because the Americans had very little gunpowder, American commanders shouted, “Do not shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!”

Battle for Bunker Hill Two times the British soldiers approached Bunker Hill and had to retreat. On the third day the British overtook the hill. It was a costly victory. 1,000 redcoats lay dead or wounded 400 American losses

Why is Bunker Hill important? The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major battle of the American Revolution. Although they retreated, the Battle at Bunker Hill was a moral victory for the militia. It also showed that the British would not be easy to defeat.

Common Sense In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense, in which Paine urged colonists to declare independence. “I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense…” “Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation.” In all of the United States, there are only two statues of Thomas Paine, both are in New Jersey.

Lee’s Resolution Thomas Jefferson Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution in congress to declare independence. A committee named Thomas Jefferson to write a formal declaration of independence.

Declaration of Independence Our Declaration of Independence is divided into 4 total parts. Preamble – Introduction explaining why we declared independence. Declaration of Rights – lists the rights of the people. These include “Life liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Colonists’ Complaints against Britain. The final part says the colonies are “free and independent states.”

Signing the Declaration of Independence On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress accepted the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress is the first person to sign. He signed it boldly saying, “There…I guess King George will be able to read that.”

Choosing Sides Americans who supported the declaration were known as Patriots. Those who did not were called Loyalists or Tories. Now open your books to page 220 and follow along as some familiar faces read the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence