1. Fighting Begins in the North

2. Lexington and Concord
News spreads quickly
10,000-15,000 militia rushed towards Boston

3. Second Continental Congress
Convenes in Philadelphia on June 10, 1775.
Did not convene with the idea that they were going to split with England
The fighting Spread

4. Olive Branch Petition A petition sent to King George III.
Declared loyalty to the King
Asked him to repeal Intolerable Acts

5. He thinks the colonists want to create independent empire
King George Reacts
He thinks the colonists want to create independent empire
Orders 20,000 more troops to region

6. Green Mountain Boys
Leader Ethan Allen…(yes the furniture guy) really a blacksmith…led a group from Vermont

7. Ethan Allen

8. LEADS AN ATTACK ON FORT TICONFEROGA

11. Fort Ticonderoga Green Mountain Boys overpower guard on duty
They rush to room where British commander is and Ethan Allen says “Come out you old rat!”

12. When asked by whose authority, he answers
“In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!”

13. What they win…
Supply of cannons and gunpowder
Control of a key route into Canada.

14. Continental Army Forms
Congress forms Continental Army in June
Washington becomes commander
He takes off for Boston

15. P’s Advantages
Many owned rifles and were good shots
Good commanders like George Washington
Determined to fight to defend their homes and property

16. British Advantages Highly trained, experienced troops
Best Navy in the World
Many colonists supported British

17. Colonists poorly organized and untrained
P’s Disadvantages
Colonists poorly organized and untrained
Few Cannons and little gunpowder
No navy
Few colonists willing to leave home militias and join Continental Army.

18. British Disadvantages
Armies 3,000 miles from home
News and supplies took months to come from Britain
British soldiers risked attacks outside cities.

19. Loyalists Colonists who remained loyal to Britain
Included wealthy merchants and former officials of Royal government

20. Loyalists Some farmers and craftworkers also loyalists.
Mostly from middle and South

21. Loyalists Tarred and feathered by P’s
Many fled to Canada, England, or to British controlled cities
When they fled, they would lose their homes, farms, and stores

22. Fight for Boston
Battle of Bunker Hill

23. Boston
During the first year, British troops were located in Boston.
Colonists surrounded the city, wouldn’t let them out

24. Battle of Bunker Hill
On June 16, 1775, Colonel William Prescott led 1,200 minutemen up Bunker Hill across river from Boston.
Reason: They could fire at British ships in Boston Harbor.

26. Breed’s Hill
Prescott notices nearby Breed’s Hill is better so he sends troops there
British General William Howe sees the Americans at sunrise.

27. Breed’s Hill He ferries 2400 redcoats to attack rebels positions.
As British approached, Patriots held their fire
When they finally fired, the British were first to retreat.

28. British Win
The strategy of the Americans, because they were low on gun powder was not to fire “until you see the whites of their eyes.”
After the third try, the British take Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill.

29. Their high price for victory
More than Redcoats were dead or wounded.
Americans numbered 400 dead or wounded.

30. RESULTS Battle of Bunker Hill first major battle of Revolutionary War
American proved they could fight bravely.
British proved they would not be defeated easily.

31. George Washington Arrives
Arrives in Boston a few weeks after battle of Bunker Hill.
He quickly turns raw recruits into an army.
Soldiers from different colonies mistrusted one another but Washington won loyalty of his troops

32. Cannons Arrive
In January 1776, the cannons arrive from Fort Ticonderoga.
Washington places them in plain site overlooking Boston Harbor.

33. British Depart
General Howe moves his troops and 1,000 loyalists from Boston to Halifax, Canada in March.

34. BLOCKADE King George III ordered a blockade of all colonial ports.
The King uses mercenaries, or troops for hire, from Germany to help fight the colonists. They are called Hessians

35. Declaration of Independence

36. It’s Common Sense

37. Common Sense Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine
Purpose was to tell the colonists that it was time to make the break.
Published January 1776, 500,000 copies sold within 6 months.

38. Colonists did not owe loyalty to King George III.
Very idea of having Kings or Queens was wrong.
Colonists owed nothing to Britain. They helped colonists only for their own profits.
Ridiculous country 3,000 miles away to rule a continent (British Colonies)

39. Common Sense Paine wrote that people should rule themselves.
“A government of our own is a natural right.”
“Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. … ‘Tis time to part.”

40. Richard Henry Lee, from Virginia introduced a resolution in favor of independence in June 7, 1776.
“…these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States. ”

41. SHOULD THEY BREAK? If they declared independence, they were traitors.
Traitor – a person who betrays his country.
PENALTY: DEATH BY HANGING

42. Committee of 5 Thomas Jefferson, VA Benjamin Franklin, PA
John Adams, MA
Robert Livingston, NY
Roger Sherman, CT

43. John Hancock President of 2nd Continental Congress
Signed Declaration of Independence First
He said that King George will be able to see his signature without his glasses

44. July 2, 1776 Vote to make colonies “free and independent states”
Some changes were made.

45. July 4, 1776
John Hancock signed document on that date

46. Different parts of the Declaration
Preamble – introduction – Explains why the document was written
“…they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

47. Natural Rights
Rights belonging to all people from birth – unalienable/natural
(based on Locke)
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of Happiness

48. Natural Rights
Governments can only exist if they have the “consent of the governed”
If government fails to protect the rights, then people have the duty to overthrow the government and replace it.

49. Grievances/British Wrongs
Quartering British soldiers in colonists’ homes
Cutting off trade with all parts of the world
Imposing taxes without representation in Parliament
Hiring Hessians to fight against the colonists

50. Independence Last part is the actual Declaration of Independence.
Have the power to declare war, set up trade, and make treaties.

51. Closing
They closed the Declaration with a solemn pledge, pledging their lives, fortune, and sacred honor.