Colonial Conflict and the American Revolution War and Independence

Toward Independence in NC First Provincial Congress (August 25, 1774) – “First in freedom” – elected leaders to represent NC at the First Continental Congress (outside of NC General Assembly and not recognized by Britain) Edenton Tea Party – women of NC boycotted buying of tea to resist British Tea Act

1 st Continental Congress -Called September 5, Protest Intolerable Acts -Not ready to declare independence (attempting to solve problems with England) -Issues Declaration of Rights and Grievances (ignored by England) -Agree to reconvene if problems not solved

“Shots Heard Round the World” Lexington and Concord – 1 st Battles of American Revolution (April 19 th, 1775)

The Mecklenburg Resolves May Mecklenburg County citizens vote – eliminate all British offices Declare that the rule of the Provincial Congress is the only government of the colony Declaration (May 20 th v. Resolves???

Second Continental Congress (1775) The colonial leaders met for the second time in Philadelphia during May of 1775 to discuss what to do 65 men met in Independence Hall to decide what steps would be made by the colonies

Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) Document created by Congress to cool relations Colonies state loyalty to the King Ask for His help in ending the conflict Following Bunker Hill, June 1775, (costly victory for British), King George III proclaimed colonies in rebellion and hired Hessians to crush rebels and blockades the American coast.

Second Continental Congress (1775) New England representatives like John Adams from Massachusetts wanted the colonies to: –Form their own governments. –Declare independence. –Recognize the minutemen as the Continental Army. –Pick a general to lead an army against the British. Other colonial representatives [mostly non-New England colonists] like John Dickinson from PA still held out hope to stay with England.

Second Continental Congress (1775) The presiding officer of the Congress was John Hancock Other participants: –Thomas Jefferson –Ben Franklin –John Adams –Samuel Adams –Richard Henry Lee –John Dickinson

Second Continental Congress (1775) Decisions made by the Second Continental Congress –Military: The Continental Army was created and George Washington was chosen as the commander –Financial: Authorize the printing of colonial money. –Foreign Affairs: The Congress sent representatives to France and other locations throughout Europe in order to try to gain allies. Ben Franklin participates in this committee

Second Continental Congress -Meet in the middle of war -Philadelphia, PA (May 10, 1775) -1 st Job: Appoint General of Continental Army (George Washington) -2 nd Job: Decide how to end war

Washington, Commander of Continental Army Second Continental Congress

The Halifax Resolves April 12, 1776 First colony to call for total independence from Great Britain “…Resolved that the delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress be impowered to concur with the other delegates of the other Colonies in declaring Independency, and forming foreign Alliances, resolving to this Colony the Sole, and Exclusive right of forming a Constitution and Laws for this Colony, and of appointing delegates from time to time (under the direction of a general Representation thereof to meet the delegates of the other Colonies for such purposes as shall be hereafter pointed out.” -Segment from Resolves

Notice the dates???

Thomas Paine published Common Sense, a pamphlet

Common Sense -Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine sells 120,000 copies. – Appealed to natural law ("an island should not rule a continent") – King George was brutish and undeserving of colonials' respect – America had a moral obligation to the world to be independent and democratic -Rallies support in colonies for Independence

Second Continental Congress (1775) Decisions made by the Second Continental Congress –Independence: Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and it was approved and signed by the Congress on July 4 th 1776 –Government: Approved the passage of the Articles of Confederation as the first government of the new nation in 1777

The Declaration of Independence -June 7, 1776; Independence proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia -Committee organized to draft document (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingstone, Thomas Jefferson) -Jefferson chosen to write document -July 4, 1776; Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress (America is now independent of England)

Second Continental Congress declared independence July 2, – Jefferson headed the committee drafting the written statement. Arguments were based on John Locke's contract theory of government : All people have natural rights ("Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness") When a government abuses rights, the people have a right to "alter or abolish" it King George has acted tyrannically. Long list of wrongs done by King to colonists. The colonies are independent. – Declaration gave a clear position for rebellious colonists, forcing others to choose rebellion or declare as Loyalists.

July 4, 1776 – Declaration of Independence (NC Signers) William Hooper Joseph Hewes John Penn

Wrap-up Why did the Continental Congress write a Declaration of Independence? How did this declaration change the war?