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2.  By the end of class, students will be able to :  Describe the penultimate events that led to the Declaration of Independence  Explain the purposes of the First and Second Continental Congresses  Explain the purpose of the Declaration of Independence 2

3. 1 st Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia in 1774 1 st Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia in 1774

4.  Opposition to the Intolerable Acts drove the colonies together.  On September 5, 1774, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress.  The Congress quickly fell into disagreement.  The Congress eventually settled on a listing of colonial grievances with England that they would send to the King.  It was no matter as King George III never read the document. 4

5. 5  On April 15, 1775, British General Thomas Gage sent a unit of British soldiers to destroy the colonial weapon stores at Concord, MA.  The move was not unexpected. When the British troops landed on April 18th, Paul Revere made his famous ride to alert the militias.  Upon encountering determined colonial resistance at Concord, the British withdrew to Boston.  Along the retreat, the real battle was fought as the British soldiers were subjected to nearly constant sniper fire and ambushes. The British lost nearly 20% of the original force and had to be rescued by reinforcements.

6.  The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775 following the fighting at Lexington and Concord.  Unlike the First Continental Congress, all thirteen colonies sent a delegation.  The proceedings quickly split between conservatives led by John Dickinson and radicals led by John Adams and Samuel Adams.  The early Congress was marked by two documents; “The Olive Branch Petition,” supported by Dickinson, sought reconciliation or peace with Great Britain, and the persuasive “Declaration of Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms,” which asserted the American willingness to fight for independence. 6

7.  Some delegates were militant radicals. They want:  Colonies declare independence  Establish a Continental Army and name a general to lead them  Led by John Adams  Others were more moderate  Wanted to keep the peace with England  John Dickinson wanted peaceful reconciliation

8.  Colonies state loyalty to the King  Ask for His help in ending the conflict  King George III proclaims the Colonies in a state of rebellion and hires mercenaries, also blockades the American coast. The Olive Branch is Symbol of Peace The Olive Branch is Symbol of Peace

9.  Parliament refused to consider the "Olive Branch Petition" because it would not negotiate with a colony in rebellion.  King George III responded to the Continental Congress on 23 August by declaring the American colonies in open rebellion.  On November 18th he wrote, "blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent." 9

10. Declaration : (n) an official statement

11.  In June 1776, Thomas Jefferson, only 33 years old, distilled a century of enlightenment thought into a few sentences: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." 11

12.  Even if imperfect in their application, the thought that all men were equal and that government existed to serve the people, was revolutionary in a world dominated by monarchy ( King’s Rule) and aristocracy.  Jefferson's words have changed the nature of government throughout the world, even the most repressive regimes pay at least lip service to Jefferson.  "Remember the Ladies" is a playful, yet serious letter from Abigail to John Adams asking him to keep women in mind when forming the new government. 12 Abigail Adams: Wife of President John Adams

13.  Benjamin Franklin  John Adams  Robert R. Livingston  Roger Sherman  Thomas Jefferson

14. This is a replica of the Graff house where Jefferson wrote the majority of the 1 st draft of the Declaration of Independence. The original building (at this location) was destroyed in 1888.

15.  The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York occurred in our city!!!! 15

16. Second Continental Congress Declares Independence July 2, 1776. 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.

18.  Public celebrations and demonstrations rang out through the colonies among the patriots  Loyalists are upset and concerned. Why?  The Women’s reaction  Supported independence, championed women’s rights  “…Remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to the them than your ancestors”.

19.  The Declaration of Independence was a document that listed the reasons why the colonists were separating themselves from Great Britain  These reasons were grievances against the king who had: suspended the people’s right to legislative representation, swayed the system of justice in his favor, interfered with free trade and immigration laws.  Not all colonists supported the Declaration. Those who did not and were loyal to the King are known as Loyalists  Supporters of independence and the Declaration are known as Patriots.  Next time: The Strengths and Weaknesses of each side 19