1. Declaring Independence
The Road to Revolution
Declaring Independence

2. Second Continental Congress
Met in Philadelphia beginning in May 1775
Formed Continental Army
Washington chosen to lead
Washington showed up in his military uniform
Tallest man at convention – he looked the part
Authorized printing of paper money to pay troops
Representatives to the meeting were beginning to act like a government

5. Offering an Olive Branch
July 1775 Moderate members of the congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition
Asked the King to restore harmony between England and the colonies
The king rejected the offer and sought new ways to punish the colonies
Blocked colonial ports and hired German Hessians to fight in colonies

6. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
In 1776 most colonists wanted to avoid complete break with England
Paine ridiculed the “Divine Right of Kings” and disagreed with economic reasons for remaining with England
Common Sense caused more colonists to embrace the idea of independence from England

7. Declaring Independence
May 1776 Second Continental Congress adopted resolution authorizing each colony to create its own government
Richard Henry Lee (VA) introduced a resolution saying that the colonies “are and of right, ought to be free and independent states”
Appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence

8. drafted the Declaration
Committee that
drafted the Declaration
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
Robert Livingston
Roger Sherman
John Adams

9. The Writing of the Declaration of Independence

10. Declaring Independence
Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the declaration
Excellent writer
From Virginia
Based on Natural Rights philosophy of John Locke
“Unalienable Rights”
Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
July 4, 1776 – Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence
John Hancock, president of the congress was the first to sign
Declaring Independence

11. The Declaration in Five Parts
Preamble
“When in the Course of Human events…”
The Rights of the People
“…We hold these truths to be self evident…”
List of Grievances
“…He has refused his assent to laws…for the public good…”
Efforts to avoid separation
“…We have petitioned for a redress of grievances in the most humblest terms…”
Independence Declared
“…These united colonies are, of right ought to be free and independent states…”

12. Know this date!

13. Historical Debate – Were colonial leaders motivated by selfish or ideological reasons?
Ideological - the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group
What could some examples of selfish reasons be?
What could some examples of ideological reasons be?

14. Quickwrite #5
I believe the colonial leaders were motivated by selfish/ideological reasons because . . .