1. Chapter 7.1 cont.
After the first meeting of the Continental Congress, the members for the 1st Continental Congress reported back to their colonies for direction
Patrick Henry’s famous line was used in gaining support for preparing for battle
“I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!’
*Allegedly, these are not the actual words of Patrick Henry, but of biographer William Wirt, who knew Henry made a speech, but filled in words so Henry would be remembered by.

2. 2nd Continental Congress
Lexington and Concord
2nd Continental Congress
May 1775, now that people have been killed, the Congress faced some problems:
They were not a government
They would not/could not take orders from Parliament
They had to act as a government
Massachusetts asked the Continental Congress to assume responsibility for the soldiers of the militia fighting in Massachusetts
The Continental Congress did so and asked other colonies to send troops: This became the Continental Army
Appointed George Washington as commander
Continental Congress offered another peace request to Britain The Olive Branch Petition, it was refused due to the increase in fighting (Ticonderoga, Bunker Hill, etc)

3. Who the heck is Thomas Paine? (7.2 notes)
Wrote a pamphlet (Jan. 1776) called Common Sense in which he made arguments for breaking away from England
For Example
“One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is that nature disapproved it, otherwise she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion”
“There is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island. To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness”
Written in a plain way, many colonist agreed. 120,000 copies made in the colonies (per capita, 12 million copies today)

4. Prohibitory Act Called the colonies “open enemies”
Outlawed American commerce and said that all American ships belonged to the Crown
Allowed British forces to raid ports and attack ships
People in the colonies now began to call for a break from England, which made its way to the Continental Congress

5. Declaration of Independence
Richard Henry Lee (VA) proposed a resolution that a document be written declaring independence – John Adams was one of the most vocal about it but many saw him as obnoxious.
What did the Declaration do?
Defined complaints against King George III
On July 4, 1776 is was approved (at least officially). It formally dissolved all allegiance to the British Crown and Created the United States of America
Declaration started to be signed by members on July 19th took over a year to get all signatures.

6. The colonies were now is full revolution
Not everyone agreed
Loyalist – people who felt/remained loyal to Great Britain (over 50,000 fled the colonies)
Patriots – those who would fight for Independence
It tore some families apart (like the Civil War did)
i.e. Ben Franklin and his son
Issues not included in the Declaration
Women
Declaration did not address their rights
Slaves
Nearly prevented ratification of the Declaration
Jefferson had to remove parts regarding slaves