WARM UP – FEBRUARY 22 Everyone grab the Guided Notes from the front table and answer these questions listed at the top: 1. What were the two meetings held by delegates in Philadelphia called? What important decisions were made by the colonists at each of these meetings? 2. Describe the fighting styles of the colonists and British. What advantages or disadvantages does each style contain? 3.What is the significance of the battles that took place in Lexington and Concord?

Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775 – Redcoats humiliated and ready to fight Marched to an area outside of Boston near Bunker Hill where some Minutemen were stationed Battle of Bunker Hill – June 1775 Minutemen held fire until the last moment “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” Redcoats stormed the hill 3 times Last surge was successful, Minutemen ran out of ammo British victory, bloodiest battle of the war 450 Minutemen wounded 1,000 Redcoats killed/wounded

Olive Branch Petition July 1775 – Second Continental Congress still in session Most colonists still considered themselves British citizens (very angry British citizens) Olive Branch Petition July 1775 Sent by the Congress to King George III Urged a return to the “former harmony” between England and the colonies Last ditch effort for peace

Olive Branch Petition REJECTED by King George III Declared the colonies in rebellion Urged Parliament to order a naval blockade (cut off trading) on the American coast Colonies are in rebellion! I will cut off their trade to suffocate them financially! I have a giant hat.

Common Sense Changes Colonists’ Minds January 1776 – anonymous pamphlet (50 pgs) circulated the colonies Common Sense (Thomas Paine) Attacked King George III “Destiny” for the colonies to become a separate nation Trade freely with other nations Get foreign aid to defeat England Develop a better society based on equality 500,000 copies sold Why significant? - Very influential in persuading undecided colonists to support independence

Summer 1776 Colonies ready to declare independence as a unit NC already declared independence VA wanted to follow NC Second Continental Congress (still in session), debates declaring independence Thomas Jefferson appointed to prepare a formal declaration explaining the rebellion and desire to be free

Declaration of Independence 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Based on the ideas of John Locke (Enlightenment thinker) People have “natural rights”… Life Liberty Pursuit of happiness Government gets its power from its citizens (the “consent of the governed”). People should rebel against a government that denies its citizens these “unalienable rights.”

Declaration of Independence “All men are created equal…” The belief that FREE MALE citizens are equals and should be treated so by the government. NOT including women, Native Americas, and African American slaves… or really any poor person July 2, 1776 – Congress voted to officially “rebel” or be free July 4, 1776 – adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence

Americans Choose Sides Patriots Loyalists (Tories) Supported American independence Remained loyal to England Farmers, merchants, artisans, landowners, elected officials Quakers (but didn’t fight) African American slaves (maybe freedom if America wins?) Who? Judges, Councilors, or Governors Lived in rural areas – didn’t know of the events in the cities Native Americans (viewed as smaller threat than colonists) African American slaves (maybe freedom if England wins?) New opportunities for economic gains Why not – can it get worse? Why? Didn’t want to be punished as rebels if British won Scared of new government