And Away We Go! Intro the Revolution

Thomas Jefferson —Thomas Jefferson, “Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America.” —Thomas Jefferson, November 29, 1775

Final Straws Taxation Latest Intolerable Acts The colonists refused to pay taxes levied from the British Parliament while there were no colonial representatives “No taxation without representation!” became a colonial rallying cry Latest Intolerable Acts Quartering Act – Forced the colonists to house British soldiers in their homes Port Bill – Closed Boston ports until the tea from the Tea Party was paid for Assembly Act – Disbanded the colonial government in Massachusetts and replaced it with a British military officer Rebuke of the Olive Branch Petition

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia Formal explanation for the colonies separation from the British Empire July 4, 1776, is the day that the final wording was approved by Congress Lists grievances against King George III, as well as the colonists belief in certain natural rights.

Highlights: “When in the course of Human events it becomes necessary to dissolve the political bands that have connected them to another, and to assume among the powers of the Earth, the separate and equal stature to which the Laws of Nature, and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Grievances: He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat (sic.) the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

John Trumball’s famous painting

American Armies General George Washington Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army Marquis de Lafayette French Army General Nathaniel Greene Continental Army Admiral Comte de Grasse French Navy

American Armies Captain John Paul Jones American Navy Marshall Comte de Rochambeau French Army Major General Benedict Arnold Continental Army

Royal British Armies: General Lord Charles Cornwallis Royal British Army General Sir Henry Clinton Commander-in-Chief Royal British Army General Sir William Howe Royal British Army General Sir Banastre Tarleton Royal British Cavalry

British Armies General John Burgoyne Royal British Army Brigadier General Benedict Arnold Royal British Army Colonel Johann Rall Hessian Mercenaries

Were you paying attention? Kahoot - Declaration of Independence