1. The Declaration of Independence
Chapter 6

2. Key Question
What principles of government are expressed in the Declaration of Independence? Quick Intro

3. Lexington and Concord marked the start of fighting with Great Britain
6.1 Introduction
Lexington and Concord marked the start of fighting with Great Britain
People are shocked that this has occurred
Many Americans are debating about what to do next
Two choices:
Declare their independence
Continue with protests or petitions
Keep the colonies at peace
Obey British rule

4. Only after the fighting, did they decide to declare independence
6.1 Introduction
Patrick Henry
One of the most famous Patriots
From Virginia (Remember what Virginia thought: fight one, fight all)
Famous Quote, ““Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!”
Still many colonist were unsure if they wanted to go to war with Britain
Only after the fighting, did they decide to declare independence

5. 6.2 The Colonist Organize an Army
George Washington and the Continental Army
Battle of Bunker Hill
John Adams proposed to Congress to create a “Continental Army”
Troops made up from the colonies
Instead of using militia men
Adams nominates George Washington from Virginia to lead this army
Thought his expertise would unite the colonies
Delegates agreed – vote unanimously for Washington
Becomes the commander-in-chief of the new army
In Boston
Militia men wanted to fortify two hills that overlooked Boston
Bunker and Breeds Hill
At night on June 6, 1775 a few hundred men made a fort on top of the hills in 4 hours
The British were worried about the fort
The position - strategy
Result: 2,000 British troops were sent to attack
Orders were: “Do not fire till you see the whites of their eyes.”
Two unsuccessful attempts to take the hill
Third time is a charm: Militiamen ran out of supplies and ammo
British took the hills – very bloody battle
Over 1,000 British soldiers killed or wounded
500 militiamen killed or wounded

6. 6.2 The Colonist Organize an Army
General Washington Takes Command
The British Abandon Boston
What Washington is faced with:
Weak, undisplined army
Lack of supplies
Washington started rumors saying he had to much gunpowder
The British believed the rumor – allowed Washington to beg for supplies from colonists
Need of big weapons
Cannons – heavy artillery
Due to the need of big guns
Henry Knox sent to Fort Ticonderoga
Fort had been captured earlier but too old (By Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold)
Used supplies and weapons
Knox dragged : 300 miles to Boston
59 cannons
2,300 pounds of lead for making bullets
Cannons established in Dorchester Heights
Constantly bombarded with cannon fire
Day and night
British left the city, did not want another battle
Left for Canada
Hundreds of ships left carrying
9,000 soldiers
1,100 loyalists
Gave the illusion
the army was well
equipped – would
not attack the British
In Boston

7. 6.3 On the Eve of Independence
Been one year since Lexington and Concord battle Within that year: Little talk on independence Many consider themselves loyalists The fight was not with Britain but with its policies towards the colonies

8. 6.3 On the Eve of Independence
Olive Branch Petition
Common Sense
Who sent it: Second Continental Congress
Why: Stop the fighting between colonies and King George III
Why an Olive Branch: Olive tree branches are ancient symbols of peace
Petition was received to late – the king had reacted
Ordered his ministers to , “bring the Traitors to Justice”
Frightened one general – Benedict Arnold
What is it: A pamphlet that encourage Americans to support our independence Who wrote it: Thomas Paine Pointed out: basic ideas – use your common sense to figure out if you want independence Sold: 120,000 copies

9. 6.4 Jefferson Drafts a Declaration
Few weeks after the British left Boston
Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to write a declaration 
The task of drafting the document
33-year-old Thomas Jefferson of Virginia
A shy man, Jefferson said little in Congress, but he stated his ideas brilliantly in writing

10. 6.4 Jefferson Drafts a Declaration
Principles on Which to Base a New Government
The King’s Crimes
Original way: Loyalists had argued that colonists had a duty to obey the king, whose authority came from God 
New way: Principle of natural rights. All people are born equal in God’s sight
Jefferson reasoned, all are entitled to the same basic rights
Governments responsibility: “to secure rights”
Power comes from: “the consent of the governed.”
If a government fails: people have the right to abolish it
Jefferson’s claim:
The king had shown no concern for the rights of colonists
The policies had been aimed at establishing “an absolute Tyranny over these States”
As proof, Jefferson included a long list of the king’s abuses
Jefferson pointed out: George III had shown he was “unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”
Emphasized: ties to Great Britain had to be broken

11. 6.5 Final Break
On July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia’s State House to debate independence 
By the end of the day, the issue was still undecided
On July 2, all but one of the 13 colonies voted for independence
New York cast no vote
No delegate was more excited about the colonies’ decision than John Adams

12. 6.5 Final Break Debate over Slavery Independence Day
Adams was wrong about the date that would be celebrated as America’s birthday
Reason: Congress decided to revise Jefferson’s declaration
Debate: Slavery
Jefferson had charged King George with violating the “sacred rights of life and liberty . . . of a distant people [by] carrying them into slavery.”
Almost no one liked this passage
Southerners/Northerners disagreed with the passage
The passage was removed
On July 4
The delegates approved a final version of the Declaration of Independence
They pledged to support independence with “our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
Every signer understood that he was committing an act of treason against Great Britain
If the new nation failed to win its freedom, each of them could very well end up swinging from a hangman’s rope