Moving Towards Independence pp. 137-142 Ch. 5 Section4 Moving Towards Independence pp. 137-142

Topics for Quiz 5-3 Thomas Paine and “Common Sense” Lexington and Concord Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys Patriot, Loyalist and Neutral George Washington chosen as commander Olive Branch Petition Bunker Hill Patrick Henry speech

Colonial Leaders Emerge May 5, 1775, the Second Continental Congress gathered New delegates to the Congress were: Benjamin Franklin—Pa., John Hancock—Mass., Thomas Jefferson—Va. Congress started governing the colonies—printed money and set up post office-run by Ben Franklin Created the Continental Army with Washington in charge on John Adams’s recommendation

The Colonies Take the Offensive Olive Branch Petition was sent to King George to try one last time for peace—he refused to receive it forces captured Montreal and failed at an attack on Quebec under Benedict Arnold Washington, surrounded the British in Boston in March 1776. The British withdrew to Nova Scotia

Moving Toward Independence Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “Common Sense”, a best seller, influenced colonists to favor breaking from England Delegates at the 2nd Continental Congress debated whether to declare themselves independent On July 2, 1776, the delegates debated the Declaration, on July 4, 1776, it was approved.

Declaration of Independence One of the most important documents in American History—written by Thomas Jefferson States 3 main principles for American government (a principle is a primary or fundamental truth on which other truths depend) The Declaration has 4 parts: Preamble, Demanding Basic Rights, Listing abuses and Declaring Independence

What does the Declaration Say? In the Preamble The Continental Congress wanted to explain why they were breaking away People are governed by Natural Laws which are the laws of nature designed by God that all people live under

Declaration of Natural Rights All Men are Created Equal All Men are entitled to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Jefferson goes on to explain: Governments get their power from the people If a government takes away the people’s rights Then the people have a right to start a new government