Moving Toward Independence 5.4 Moving Toward Independence

Colonial Leaders Emerge On May 10th 1775 the 2nd continental congress met This included John Adams, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, & Patrick Henry

Colonial Leaders Emerge They Authorize printing of money Create a post office Govern the colonies Create committees to communicate with Native Americans, Spain and France Creates continental army with George Washington as commander Sent the Olive Branch Petition offering one last chance at peace King George refused to even read the petition

Colonial Leaders Emerge The Colonies Take the Offensive The colonies learn that Britain is about to attack from Canada They decide to attack first from Fort Ticonderoga and capture Montreal They failed to capture Quebec In 1775 Washington decides not to attack Boston because he thought the troops weren’t ready However, in 1776 he returns and drives the British out of Boston

Colonial Leaders Emerge Moving toward Independence Most of the colonist want to avoid separating from Great Britain Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense which became widely popular It called for an independent country Many of Paine’s ideas came from John Locke who wrote about natural rights

The Colonies Declare Independence The main discussion at the continental congress was whether or not the colonies should become an independent country Richard Henry Lee from North Carolina suggested that they become independent They form a committee to draft a declaration of independence July 2nd 1776, congress agree to be independent July 4th, the delegates sign the Declaration of Independence

The Colonies Declare Independence The Declaration of Independence It has four major parts The Preamble this states that if people want to form a new country then you need to explain your reasons Universal Rights of Men “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”

The Colonies Declare Independence The Declaration of Independence It has four major parts The Governments responsibility is to protect these rights if the government does not protect these rights the people have the right to change government they list the grievances of when these rights were violated by the British d) It announces the existence