Declaration of Independence Section 5

Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. Drawing upon the theories of John Locke, the Declaration argues that governments must be

1) representative of the people. 2) limited in power by a recognition of basic human rights.

Furthermore, when any government violates people’s natural rights, then the people have the additional right to “alter or to abolish” that government.

A second section of the Declaration list specific grievances against the British king in order to demonstrate that the colonists’ rights were repeatedly violated.

1) Dissolving colonial assemblies. 2) keeping British troops in the colonies, 3) “imposing taxes without the colonists’ consent.”

Continuing Importance of the Declaration Declaration has had profound effect on world history. People in many nations have used the Declaration to justify their own struggles for independence against oppressive governments.

In the United States, the Declaration served as an important document in the fight to end slavery, since it states that all men are created equal.

Revolutionary leaders Benjamin Franklin was a leading figure who developed the 1754 Albany Plan of Union, assisted in the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and represented the Continental Congress (the governing body for the American revolutionaries) in France during the Revolutionary War.

Served as commander of the revolutionary army. George Washington Served as commander of the revolutionary army. Leadership during the war was critical to the revolution’s success. He later became the first president of the United States and served for two terms.

Samuel Adams He led the resistance to British taxes by organizing a boycott of British goods. Organized the Committee of Correspondence to make communication easier for Massachusetts colonists. Delegate for the Second Continental Congress

Later became second president of the United States John Adams Later became second president of the United States Argued Britain’s right to tax the colonies in the first continental congress. Helped write the Declaration of Independence with Jefferson.

“Give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry Served as a delegate from Virginia to both the first and second Continental Congress. “Give me liberty or give me death!”

The War for Independence (1776-1781) The British created a three-pronged attack to divide New England from the rest of the states.

Early defeats Britain occupied two of the colonies most important cities Boston and New York. The American capital, Philadelphia, fell to the British the following year.

Britain hired mercenaries from Hesse in Germany to add to their forces. Many loyalists fought for Britain as well as many Native American nations (Iroquois)

Loyalists made up half the population of New York and were in the majority in some states. Britain had the most powerful navy in the world and a well disciplined army, but had difficulties in supplying troops in North America.

In the Revolutionary War Americans greatest success at sea was achieved by privately owned ships authorized by the government to attack and capture ships.

Hessians

British Soldiers

Continental Soldiers

Turning points Desperately needing a victory to keep American hopes alive, Washington launched a surprise attack on Trenton, New Jersey were the Hessians were defeated.

A second turning point was a decisive victory at Saratoga, New York, in October 1777, against a British army commanded by General John Burgoyne.

General Burgoyne

Americans won the battle and convinced France to give them military and naval assistance. This was great news to Washington and his men, who were suffering from inadequate food and clothing while camped at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, during the severe winters of 1777-1778.

In the Revolutionary War the Continental Army suffered from lack of money.

Nathaniel Greene led Patriots in guerrilla attacks against the British in the southern states.

Victory at Yorktown The last years of the war were fought in the South. Aided by French naval support and reinforced by French troops, Washington’s army forced Britain’s commanding general, Lord Cornwallis, to surrender his army at Yorktown, Virginia (1781).

The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, and approved by the Congress of the Confederation on January 14, 1784, formally ended the American Revolution.

Contributions of African Americans African Americans fought on both sides during the Revolutionary War because both sides offered them freedom if they choose their side.