Moving Toward Independence Chapter 5: Section 4 Moving Toward Independence

Colonial Leaders Emerge On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress assembled for the first time Delegates still divided on separating from Great Britain Included many notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson Began to govern the colonies: authorized the printing of money, set up a post office, established committees to communicate with N.A. and created the Continental Army to fight against Britain in a more organized way Committee unanimously chose George Washington to be the army’s commander In July, the committee sent out a petition, or formal request, assuring the king of the colonists’ desire for peace Became known as the Olive Branch Petition Asked the king to protect the colonists’ rights King George refused to even look at the document and geared up for war

The Colonies Take the Offensive Congress learned that British troops stationed in what is now Canada and were planning to attack New York A Patriot force captured Montreal in November, but an American attack on Quebec failed After joining the Continental Army, Washington noticed the men lacked discipline, organization, and leadership- spent a year getting them into shape Positioned his army in a semicircle around Boston and gave the order to attack- Redcoats quickly withdrew and Patriots entered the city In 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense Called for complete independence from Britain Argued it was “common sense” to stop following King George III Inspired thousands of Americans

The Colonies Declare Independence The Second Continental Congress chose a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the document Inspired by philosopher John Locke- people were born with certain natural rights to life, liberty, and property Congress finally voted on the resolution for independence and the document was finally approved on July 4, 1776 Declaration had four major sections: preamble: states that people who wish to forma new country should explain their reasons for doing so 2) & 3) listed the rights the colonists believed they should have and their complaints against Britain 4) Proclaims the existence of the new nation

Classwork!!!! Complete #2, 4-6 & Interdisciplinary Activity on pg. 151 Due tomorrow! (may be completed in notebooks)