Declaring Independence Coach Medford Building Independent American Champions

Objective Evaluate the reaction of the colonies rejection of the Olive Branch Petition Summarize the steps taken the led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence Understand the four parts of the Declaration of Independence

Thoughts By declaring themselves independent from Britain the signers risked everything. What would you be willing to risk for freedom from oppression?

Questions How did individuals and events impact efforts for independence? Why did the American colonies declare independence?

Second Continental Congress Met on May 10, 1775 John Hancock of Massachusetts to be the president of the Second Congress Not ready yet to vote for a break from Britain If the colonists were not ready to break from Britain. What do you think would happen they would discuss at this Congress? Use evidence from prior lessons to support your answer.

Continental Congress Results Began governing the colonies Authorized the printing of money and set up a post office Native American and foreign affairs were created Created a Continental Army, George Washington

Olive Branch Petition Petition, a formal request, to George III Assures king that the colonists want peace and protected rights King rejects and send 30,000 Hessians, to fight with the British Why do you think the colonists want peace instead of war? What the importance of the Olive Branch Petition?

War Rages On Congress learns the British plan to attach from Canada Americans strike first by capturing Montreal but Benedict Arnolds attack on Quebec fails Washington arrives at Boston in July 1775, he surrounds the city with militia Here Washington discovers the militia are undisciplined and begins to turn them into soldiers

Attack on Boston March 1776, Washington believes his army and artillery are ready to attack Boston Moves in close over night British General Howe awakes and knows he will lose the battle He withdraws troops by boat through Boston Harbor

Common Sense Many colonists hope colonists will remain apart of Britain Support for independence grows January 1776, Thomas Paine writes a pamphlet called Common Sense List powerful reasons why the colonists should seek independence What are some reasons you think the colonists should seek independence?

“Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART.” – Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 "Which is better - to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away or by three thousand tyrants one mile away?" - Mather Byles How do these quotes show a difference in opinions? Who is the Loyalist and the Patriot? Do you agree with one or both? Why

“That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent States…and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” – Richard Henry Lee, resolution for Independence 1776 What is the difference between a colony and a state?

Declaring Independence In June of 1776, the Second Continental Congress meets Delegates argue both sides While debating Congress approves a committee to a declaration of independence Committee – John Adams – Benjamin Franklin – Thomas Jefferson (main author) – Robert Livingston – Roger Sherman Would you want to be on this committee? Why or why not?

Writing the Declaration Jefferson draws a lot if ideas from John Locke Locke wrote in the 1600’s that the government should protect it’s people and if it does not then the people should overthrow the government July 2, 1776 – 12 colonies approve, New York later stated their support July 4, 1776 – Final draft is signed by 56 delegates

The Declaration The Declaration has 4 major parts Preamble – introduction, states that the colonists want to form a new country Parts 2 (indictment) & 3 (denunciation) – list the rights the colonists believe they should have and grievances with England Part 4 (conclusion) – the existence of a new nation The war has officially begun

Copies of the Declaration About 200 copies were made the night of July 4 Copy sent to George Washington Each colony received a copy King George and Parliament receive in August 1776 Numerous other countries receive and translate the declaration for publication

Review Questions According to Locke, what is the purpose of the government? What did the Second Continental Congress take to being governing the colonies? What grievances against King George III were included in the Declaration of Independence?