Olive Branch Petition Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Just after Lex. & Concord fighting, delegates began meeting in May, 1775  After debate, they sent an “Olive Branch Petition” to King George III (declared loyalty & asked to repeal Intolerable Acts)  King George angry- sent 20,000 more troops

Fort Ticonderoga Battle of Bunker Hill/British Leave Boston  While 2 nd C.C. meeting, fighting continues  Ticonderoga: Ethan Allen led Green Mountain Boys (from Vermont) in surprise attack against British  They won cannons and gunpowder & gained control of route to Canada  2 nd C.C. officially set up “Continental Army” and named George Washington as Commander  June of 1775: Prescott led 1,200 minutemen up Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill  After 3 rd attack, British took Bunker and Breed’s Hill (British won!)  1,000 “Redcoats” died; only 400 Patriots died  1 st Major Battle; proved would be tough war  G.W. used canons from Tic. to run British out of Boston  King orders blockade (shutting down) of ports

 A “Patriot:” Colonist who favored war against the British (more in North) -1/3  Army Disadvantages: Poorly organized & untrained; few canons & gunpowder, no navy; soldiers not commit for long terms away f/home  Army Advantages: good w/rifles; G.W. good commander; determined to fight for homes and family (“Home Court” advantage)

 A “Loyalist:” Americans who remained loyal to Britain (wealthy merchants, former govt. officials, some farmers; more in South and Middle colonies)- 1/3  Army Disadvantages: On foreign soil, supplies and orders from King took months to arrive, attacked by colonists in country-side  Army Advantages: highly trained & experienced troops; best navy in world; many colonists supported (1/3)

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense influences colonists Declaration of Independence!  Thomas Paine’s essay, Common Sense, sold more than 500,000  “Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation- Tis time to part” – 1776  2 nd C.C. afraid of being traitors (person who betrays)  Convinced 2 nd C.C. to appoint committee to write D. of I. (John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, & Roger Sherman)  Thomas Jefferson wrote  John Hancock (Pres of C.C.) 1 st to sign (large writing)

- - Preamble - - Intro. - - “Natural Rights” section - - British Wrongs - - Declaration of Independence D. of I. “official:” July 4, 1776  “Natural Rights”- rights that belong to ALL people from birth (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness)- John Locke  Govt’s job: Protect natural rights of people  If govt. fails, then “ok” to “throw off” the govt.  British “wrongs:” sending troops in peacetime, “taxation w/o rep.,” limits on trade, King a tyrant, etc.  Colonies now the “United States of America”

 Battle of Long Island: British victory in NY  Battle of Trenton: Surprise attack across the Delaware River (on Christmas night) ◦ Soldiers suffered ◦ Patriot victory gave them hope!

Battle of Saratoga  Viva la France!  The Battle of Saratoga: ◦ American victory ◦ Major turning point in war ◦ Boosted spirits of troops and convinced France to become an ally ◦ France had been giving Americans money and supplies, but neutral ◦ NOW  They give military and naval support!

 GW and troops suffered through long, cold winter here in  Low on supplies, shoes, etc.  Frostbite, disease.

 West: ◦ Many Native-American tribes helped British to fight Americans ◦ Spain: Helped the Patriots to fight the British out West and in Florida  South: ◦ Battle of Cowpens: American victory in SC ◦ Hit-and-run (guerrilla) tactics by Southern militia ◦ Battle of Yorktown: American victory- final battle  British surrounded by troops on land (GW) and sea (the French)

 Treaty of Paris ◦ U.S. independent nation ◦ Land: Atlantic Ocean to Miss. River (not FL) ◦ 8 years after L&C! ◦ WHY win??  Geography (home court advantage)!!  Foreign help- from Spain AND France  American patriotism!!  George Washington

Martha Washington ◦ Many helped wounded and fighting soldiers, served as spies ◦ Some took over husbands’ businesses while off fighting ◦ Women began wanting more or EQUAL rights

James Armistead- Served as spy for Patriots During the war, slavery started to end in New England states and Penn.  British offered freedom to male slaves to fight  GW changed policy to allow free A.A.s to be in Patriot army  5,000 A.A.s served in army from all colonies except S.C.  2,000 served in Navy  Runaway slaves would escape w/British at end of war  Soldiers wanted equal rights after war!