1. Mr. Clifford US 1

2. May 1775: After the violence at Lexington & Concord delegates from all 13 colonies met at the 2 nd Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Battles between Massachusetts militia and British soldiers continued

3. Pro War View John Adams (MA) argued: colonies should establish a government and declare independence from Britain. Colonies adopt Massachusetts militia as the Continental Army. Appoint general to lead Continental Army John Dickinson, PA argued: Opposed Massachusetts aggressive stance. Believed reconciliation with Britain was the only way to end the conflict peacefully. Peace & Reconciliation

4. June 1775: Violence in Massachusetts continues. In Philadelphia, the 2 nd Continental Congress: adopts the Massachusetts Militia as the Continental Army (Congress will supply army with provisions) Colonel George Washington is appointed General of the Continental Army (only request was to receive no commission)

5. 2400 British soldiers were ordered to strike at militiamen who had taken Bunker Hill. (actually called Breed’s Hill) Massachusetts militia men were ordered to hold their fire until they saw “the whites of their eyes”. British forces advanced three times before finally taking the hill British lost over 1000 soldiers colonial militia lost only 450 Huge moral victory for colonists Bunker Hill would be the deadliest battle of the war.

6. Most delegates still felt loyalty to King George III (John Dickinson, PA) & blamed bloodshed on King’s ministers in the colonies. Congress sent King George an ‘Olive Branch Petition’. Petition stressed that the congress wanted a return to the ‘former harmony’ between colonies and Britain. King George rejects the petition labels the 2 nd Continental Congress as ‘rebels’ orders a naval blockade of the American coast.

7. 50 page anonymous pamphlet written by Thomas Paine Paine had immigrated from Britain to colonies 2 years prior ‘Common Sense’: time had come for colonists to fulfill their ‘destiny’ by declaring independence. Opportunity to create a better society equal social & economic opportunities Free from tyranny ‘Common Sense’ sold nearly 500,000 copies. Helped t0 overcome many doubts about separating from Britain.

8. Public sentiment in the colonies began to shift towards independence. Communities and families in all 13 colonies debated the issue.

9. Colonial delegates debated whether independence from Great Britain was their best & only option for protecting their ‘God given’ liberty. Committee was assembled to develop a formal declaration explaining why colonies had right to declare independence. Thomas Jefferson, a 33 year old Virginian was given the duty of writing the document with help from: Ben Franklin, John Adams, Philip Livingston, & Roger Sherman.

10. -Jefferson used concepts written by English philosopher John Locke who believed that people had ‘natural rights’ (life, liberty, & property) and that people willingly enter into a ‘social contract’, an agreement in which people consent to choose (vote) & obey a government as long as the government protects & defends their natural rights. If the ‘social contract’ is not upheld and the government becomes tyrannical then the people have a right to resist or rebel. -Jefferson referred to natural rights as ‘unalienable rights’ and the most important of these ‘God given’ rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

11. - Americans now faced the most difficult decision of their lives. They had to decide whether they were: Patriots (Americans who support US independence) or Loyalists (Americans who support Great Britain). The issue would divide communities, churches, towns, & families throughout the United States.

12. Exact number of loyalists is unknown Many loyalists would change sides depending on the outcome of the war. Most Americans who worked for the Crown remained loyal. Many Americans remained loyal simply because they believed that the British would win easily. Others felt true loyalty towards the Crown because they believed the Britain would protect their rights more effectively that the colonists.

13. The Patriots drew their numbers from: those who saw economic opportunity in independent America. The patriot cause embraced: farmers artisans merchants landowners, & elected officials. German immigrants in Pennsylvania also joined the patriots. Patriot numbers made up little less than half the population of North America.

14. Quakers: generally supported the Patriots but did not fight. - African Americans: many fought on the side of the Patriots while African Americans in the middle-southern states were Loyalists since the British promised freedom to slaves who would fight for the Crown. (25,000 African Americans would eventually fight in the American Revolution) - Native Americans: mainly supported the British because they believed colonists were a bigger threat to their lands.

15. When the Patriots declared independence, they knew it would bring war. Many believed that this was the biggest mistake of their lives. Members of the 2 nd Continental Congress are now ‘enemies of the Crown’ and if captured will hang. They have no choice. THEY MUST FIGHT OR DIE