1. The Declaration of Independence and The American Revolution

2. Knights Charge 10/5
On the back of your Knights Charge paper, answer the following questions after reading the following:
“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 –”
What does self-evident mean?
What does unalienable mean?
What are rights that all humans have that are given to them by God?
Why do you think the Americans included this line in the Declaration of Independence?

3. The Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson
Signed by the 2nd Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776
Formally declared a break from Great Britain

4. Declaration of Independence continued…
What do you think was meant by the following sentence…
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…”

5. “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 –”

6. “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

7. “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…”

8. “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

9. “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces design reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and provide new guards for their security.”

10. The American Revolution

11. Tale of the Tape: Americans vs. British
Location
Size
Money
Military
Foreign Support
Strategy
X-Factor- Passion to Fight

12. General George Washington
Americans were led by General George Washington
Although inexperienced, his leadership was vital in American victory

13. Battle of Lexington and Concord
April 18, 1775
First battle of the American revolution took place at at Lexington and Concord
Known as the “Shot heard around the world”
Proved the Americans could fight the British

14. Lexington and Concord Massachusetts Bay Colony Great Britain
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Great Britain
Troops Involved
477
500
Killed 49 73
Wounded 39
154
Missing 5 53

15. Paul Revere
Alerted the townspeople of Boston that the British were coming
“One by land and two by sea”

16. The Battle of Bunker Hill
June 17, 1775
Happened during the British attack on Boston
Even though the British were victorious, Americans fought well
Greatly improved the morale of the war effort

17. Siege of Boston and New York
Colonists were able to successfully defend Boston
Failed to do so in New York

18. Washington crosses the Delaware
Washington carries out a surprise attack on the British in New Jersey
Greatly inspired the colonists

19. Valley Forge
American troops led by Washington had to survive brutal winter in 1777
Their survival showed both Washington’s greatness as a leader and American perseverance

20. The Battle of Saratoga October 7, 1777
Major turning point in favor for America during the war

21. Battle of Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse
January 17, 1781 and March 15, 1781
Both battles pushed the British army led by Charles Cornwallis north into Virginia

22. Yorktown
With the help of the French, the Americans trapped the British in Yorktown, Virginia
Led to American victory over Britain
Treaty of Paris ended American Revolution

23. Effects of War 1. Independence from Britain 2. Problems a. War Debt
b. New Government?
c. Rebuiling the country
d. Relationship with Great Britain and other countries
e. Slavery?