Declaring Independence Chapter 6, Section 4

The Siege of Boston After fighting Lexington and Concord, the British retreated to safety in Boston. 15,000 Minutemen surround Boston. Encircled by colonial forces, Boston was under siege and the British were forced to surrender.

Second Continental Congress May 10, 1775, delegates meet in Philadelphia. Delegates included the attendance of: John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Patrick Henry. Agreed to create a Continental Army. George Washington was appointed commanding general.

Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775, Minutemen were positioned across Boston harbor on Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill. Gen. William Howe crossed the bay with 2,200 Redcoats. The Redcoats climbed Breeds Hill. Col. William Prescott ordered, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” The British won the Battle of Bunker Hill, but at tremendous cost. 1,000 Redcoats were killed or wounded as compared to 400 Minutemen.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Bunker Hill Battle Plan

News of Fighting Spreads, 1775

The Olive Branch Petition In July 1775, moderates in Congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition and sent it to London. The petition asked the king to restore harmony between Britain and the colonies. The king rejected and announced new measures to punish the colonies.

Washington Arrives Summer 1775, Washington arrived at the militia camp near Boston. Gathered supplies and trained troops. Instituted the bold plan. The Continental Army would invade Quebec, defeat the British and draw Canadians into the Patriot cause. Their attack failed, and the Continental Army limped home in defeat.

The British Retreat from Boston Gen. Henry Knox, dragged 59 cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in January 1776. Washington positioned the cannons overlooking Boston and threatened to bombard the city. British Gen. Howe withdrew forces. March 1776, over 7,00 Redcoats boarded 100 ships and set sail for England. The British would never return .

Common Sense Changes Minds Thomas Paine, a immigrant from England, wrote Common Sense. Paine was considered a political radical. Believed that all men, not just land owners, should have the right to vote. Argued that all monarchies were corrupt, and did not believe in the kings rule by the will of God.

Common Sense Instant success. Published in January, sold more than 100,000 copies in three months. Moved many colonists toward revolution.

Revolutionary Flags

Declaration of Independence Congress appointed a committee to draft the Declaration. The committee included: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. The committee chose Jefferson to compose the Declaration. 1.) he was an excellent writer 2.) he came from Virginia. The members knew the independent movement could not survive without Virginia's support.

The Congress Declaration Committee

Declaration of Independence cont… July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock, the president of the Congress, was the first to sign it. He wrote in large print and commented, “There, I guess King George will be able to read that.” The core idea of the Declaration is based on John Locke’s ideas of natural and unalienable rights, rights that governments could not take away. Outlined the reasons for breaking ties with Britain.