Write one question for each word or phrase that could possibly be answered by today’s lesson.

The Continental Congress met again in Philadelphia starting in May of 1775 to decide what to do. Carpenters’ Hall in 1775

They decided to create a Continental Army, and they chose George Washington as the commander in chief.

Trying to find a peaceful solution with Britain, they sent King George III the Olive Branch Petition. He refused to even read it. War was now the only choice!

In 1776 Thomas Paine wrote a small book called Common Sense. It gave many reasons why colonists should declare their independence from Britain. It inspired even more people.

The Second Continental Congress decided to declare that the American colonies were free and independent from British rule.

So they formed a small committee to write the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson did most of the writing with help from John Adams, Ben Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman.

This committee presented a draft to the Continental Congress. After some debate and editing, the Declaration of Independence was rewritten and approved on July 4, 1776.

The Declaration stated why the colonies wanted their independence, listed ways in which Britain violated the colonists’ rights, and declared the colonies free from British rule.

The Declaration of Independence was signed on August 2, 1776, by 56 men.

Follow your teacher’s directions for a chalk talk on Independence.