1. Declaring Independence
Chapter 5
Lesson 4

2. Essential Question & Learning Goal
What motivates people to act?
Learning Goal:
Students will be able to compare points of view held by Patriots and Loyalists, evaluate the reaction of the colonies to the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition, summarize the steps taken that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and understand the four parts of the Declaration of Independence.

3. The Second Continental Congress
May 10, 1775
John Adams, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin are all present
John Hancock is chosen at the president of the Congress

4. Key Actions Congress decisions: Print own money,
Communicate with Indians for better relationship
Create Continental Army
Washington is General
Set up a Post Office
Write Olive Branch Petition
Offer of peace and independence from Great Britain by the colonists.

5. Key Actions In response to the Olive Branch Petition
King George III sends 12,000 German troops to the colonies
Called Hessians- mercenary soldiers

6. The War Heats Up
Patriots learned British in Canada planned to invade New York.
Americans strike first- capture Montreal
Americans failed to capture Quebec- Led by Benedict Arnold

7. The War Heats Up
July 1775
British hold Boston but Patriot militias are still outside the city
Washington realizes his men are disorganized and lacked discipline
March After some training
Washington believes his men are ready to fight and moves them at night to attack British in Boston

8. The War Heats Up British realize they are going to be attacked
And leave Boston
March 17, 1776
Washington leads his troops into Boston to find the British troops had sailed away.

9. Moving Toward Independence
Some colonists wanted to stay with Great Britain but more and more wanted independence.
Thomas Paine encouraged colonists to support independence.
Author of Common Sense
Told the colonists to
United against the British
It is common sense to be a Patriot and independent

10. Writing the Declaration
Second Continental Congress
Debated whether the colonies should remain with Britain or declare independence
A committee of colonists wrote the Declaration while the Congress still debated
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman were on the committee
Jefferson wrote the first draft
Used ideas from John Locke

11. Writing the Declaration
Jefferson explained why the colonies were declaring freedom
Ideas of life, liberty, property; governments exist to protect the rights of the people
Four Parts
I: Preamble- Intro
R: Declaration of Natural Rights
C: List of Grievances (complaints)
D: Declaration of a new nation- the states now had the power to wage war

12. VIDEO

13. Writing the Declaration
July 2, 1776
Second Continental Congress voted to become independent
12/13 colonies voted
New York did not vote but later announced support
July 4, 1776
The Declaration was approved with a few changes
John Hancock signed first
56 people signed
Copies were printed and sent to colonies