What does it mean to have common sense? STARTER What does it mean to have common sense?

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The Second Continental Congress May 1775, Colonial leaders met for a Second Continental Congress, to decide their next move. Some called for Independence, some for reconciliation. John Adams suggested that each colony set up its own government and the congress declare the colonies independent.

The Second Continental Congress, continue Militiamen to be the continental army and assign a general to lead them. Finally, the Congress agreed to appoint George Washington as head of the Continental Army Congress was acting like an independent government; authorized the printing of paper money to pay the troops and organized a committee to deal with foreign nations.

The Battle of Bunker Hill British General Thomas Gage decided on an attack against the colonists on Breed’s Hill (near Boston) June 17, 1775 – Gage sent 2,400 British troops to a city near Bunker Hill. Deadliest battle of the war, as over 1,000 redcoats and 450 colonists died Battle misnamed Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill would have been more accurate) June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill

OLIVE BRANCH PETITION By July 1775, the Second Continental Congress was readying for war, though still hoping for peace. Most delegates deeply loyal to King George III. The petition urged a return to the “former harmony” between Britain and the colonies. July 8 – Congress sent the King the Olive Branch Petition, he flatly refused it. The King issued a proclamation stating the colonies were in rebellion and ordered parliament to order a naval blockade of the American coast.

INDEPENDENCE MINDED Public opinion shifted toward Independence Why? Enlightenment ideas (John Locke’s Social Contract, and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense Paine declared that it was time for colonists to proclaim their independence. Independence would allow them to trade freely with other countries, win foreign aid from British enemies, and give Americans a chance to create a better society.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Continental Congress needed to make a decision. NC declared itself independent Virginians told their delegates that they favored independence. Congress urged each colony to form its own government. Congress appointed a committee to prepare a formal declaration explaining the reasons for the colonies actions. JEFFERSON, ADAMS, & FRANKLIN

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Thomas Jefferson, a Virginia lawyer, was chosen to express the committee’ points. He wrote up the Declaration of Independence which drew from the concepts of John Locke who said that people enjoy “natural rights” to life, liberty, and property. Jefferson described the rights as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress voted unanimously that the American Colonies were free and they adopted the Declaration of Independence The Colonists had declared their independence– they would now have to fight for it

Americans Choose Sides Colonists divided between Loyalists and Patriots. Loyalist opposed independence remain loyal to the Crown . Revolution or loyalty to the crown divided communities, friends and families. Patriots were for independence. Colonies were in two wars – a war for Independence and a Civil War.