Causes of the American Revolution: Part 3

Introduction  Following the passage of the Intolerable Acts, the Colonies came together to form the First Continental Congress where a debate raged on two topics  War or Peace  As events heat up, the Continental Congress appealed to the King George III for a peaceful solution, but their attempts were ignored  With no other option, the founding fathers selected Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence, stating America’s freedom from British rule

Common Sense Definition: A pamphlet authored by Thomas Paine making the case that America should not tolerate the British abuse of power Definition: A pamphlet authored by Thomas Paine making the case that America should not tolerate the British abuse of power Convinced common people to support the Revolution movement Convinced common people to support the Revolution movement Top selling book in the colonies (500,000 copies) Top selling book in the colonies (500,000 copies) “Paine wrote as a common person speaking to common people” “Paine wrote as a common person speaking to common people”

Battles of Lexington and Concord  100s of British troops marched to Concord, MA to take a large supply of weapons from the Colonial militia.  Militia: Citizen Soldiers  Paul Revere and other members of the Sons of Liberty heard about this and warned colonists of the British coming to Concord. Thomas Gage Paul Revere William Dawes: The most underrated man in American History

Lexington and Concord  As the British enter the city of Lexington, 70 militiamen block the path to Concord  A shot is fired causing both sides to start fighting, eventually the Colonists were forced to retreat  The British arrived in Concord- the Colonists had already moved the guns  The British march back to Boston, but are attacked by hundreds of angry colonists

Lexington and Concord  In total,  British Casualties: 250  Colonial Casualties: Less than 100  Significance: First battle of the Revolutionary War

Second Continental Congress  Definition: Meeting of colonial representatives to decide on how to respond to Lexington and Concord  Two plans emerge  Appoint General George Washington to assemble a Continental Army  Write “The Olive Branch petition” to ask for a peaceful resolution  The King rejects the Olive Branch petition, leaving the Colonists with one choice: To declare Independence

The Declaration of Independence

 Definition: The document signed on July 4, 1776 that officially proclaimed American independence from England  The Continental Congress chose Thomas Jefferson to lead the team that was to write the Declaration of Independence  Others:  John Adams  Benjamin Franklin  In all 56 representatives sign the Declaration  Considered treason, punishable by death

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration was set up into three parts: The Declaration was set up into three parts: Part 1: Individual Rights Part 1: Individual Rights Focused on the colonists right to pursue their rights Focused on the colonists right to pursue their rights “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” Part 2: The Grievances Part 2: The Grievances Twenty-seven complaints against the British that cause us to leave Twenty-seven complaints against the British that cause us to leave Part 3: Official separation Part 3: Official separation Establishes that we are own independent nation Establishes that we are own independent nation Social Contract- The idea that people should follow the laws of government so long as the laws are fair and just. Social Contract- The idea that people should follow the laws of government so long as the laws are fair and just.

Who was left out of the Declaration? Minority Group (Non-whites, Women) Minority Group (Non-whites, Women) “All men are created equal” “All men are created equal” It should have been “all landowning, white, males are created equal” It should have been “all landowning, white, males are created equal” The set up of the American Government The set up of the American Government THAT’S THE CONSTITUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT’S THE CONSTITUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!