The Fight For Independence

 Continental Army- Colonial Army set up by the Second Continental Congress  Patriot- Person siding with the colonies  Loyalist- Person siding with the British  Olive Branch Petition- Loyalty to the king in exchange for repealing the intolerable acts

 The Second Continental Congress was convened in Philadelphia after the battles at Lexington and Concord Sent the Olive Branch petition to King George III The King was less than enthused Felt Colonies wanted their own empire Ordered 20,000 more troops to the colonies Many were convinced that war could not be avoided

 Volunteers known as the Green Mountain Boys took fort Ticonderoga Captured the fort and its cannons, gun powder and control of a key route to Canada  The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army at this same time They appointed George Washington as its commander

 Patriots Most colonial men owned rifles and were good shots Patriots were defending their own land, homes and families while the Brits were paid soldiers Home field advantage (knew the land) Could be immediately reinforced with supplies Washington was a brilliant leader and tactician

 The British Far superior military Well trained army, best navy in the world Had some colonists support (Loyalists) Mainly in the south Loyalists were tarred and feathered and had their homes and possessions stolen by Patriots

 The Americans surrounded Boston They did not let the British march out  Colonel Prescott and 1,200 minutemen held Bunker Hill The British attempted to take the hill but were turned back On the third try, the British took the hill The British lost 1,000 men The Americans lost 400  This showed that the Americans could fight bravely Also that the British would be very difficult to beat  Washington began to train the army Tough with colonial differences  British set up a blockade and hired mercenaries

 Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” justified a break from England  The Continental Congress drafted a Declaration of Independence It was written by Thomas Jefferson  Congress voted to separate from England on July 2, 1776 They knew they would be seen as traitors The declaration was ratified on July 4 th Triggered much celebration in the colonies

 Natural Rights Declared that “all men are created equal” These are inborn rights Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness If these rights are not met, then the people have the right to rebel  British Wrongs Disbanding Colonial Legislatures, sending troops in peacetime, limits on trade and taxation without representation  Declared independence as well as the rights of the colonies to carry on as a free and sovereign nation

 Women Women added men’s work to their own Planted and harvested crops Made blankets and uniforms, some even made cannons and guns Betsy Ross sewed flags Cared for the wounded soldier at the front, washed and cooked Mary Ludwig Hayes (Molly Pitcher) carried water to the soldiers in the field When her husband was wounded, she took his place and loaded and fired his cannon This helped lead to more equality for women

 African Americans The continental army did not allow African Americans to fight The British offered to free slaves if they fought for them In response, Washington allowed free African Americans to fight Tough calls Fight for the Brits and be hanged by Patriots Fight for colonies and be captured and sold

 Native Americans were wanted by both sides British were more effective Convinced them that a Patriot victory would mean more settlers moving west of the Appalachians Some, such as the Miami’s allied with the Patriots Helped trick the British into surrendering fort Vincennes  New Spain Spain was neutral, but Bernardo de Galvez, the Governor of Louisiana supported the Patriots Supplied them with guns, medicine and cloth He soon captured forts along the Mississippi and drove the British from Western Florida. Galveston, Texas is named after him