Calling for Independence Objective Describe the Biblical arguments patriots made for independence 1774 The first Continental Congress convenes. It agrees to meet again if problems with Britain continue. 1. What does the 2nd Continental Congress do to bring about peace? 1775 Clashes between British soldiers and American minutemen at Lexington and Concord result in the loss of life. 2. What does the continental Congress do to prepare for war? Since problems with the British intensify, the Second Continental Congress meets. 3. What are the main ideas of Common Sense? Fighting between the British and the colonists increases. 4. What is the purpose of a formal declaration of independence? 1776 Thomas Paine publishes his Common Sense pamphlet. With the increase of fighting between Britain and the colonies, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. 5. What are the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence? Calling for Independence Draw a timeline below the chart

Calling for Independence 1. Olive Branch Petition A appeal to King George III to resolve the disagreement between Parliament and the colonies Calling for Independence King George rejects Formally declares the colonies to be in rebellion Institutes a naval blockade

Calling for Independence 2. George Washington The Second Continental Congress appoints George Washington as Commander of the Continental Armies. Calling for Independence Military threat existed Print money to pay for supplies Create a committee to conduct business with foreign governments What do you need to be a “country?” land government population recognition

Calling for Independence 3. Common Sense Four Themes Calling for Independence Government is a necessary evil Society vs. Government Hereditary monarchy is evil, born out of sinfulness Hereditary monarchy is a poor government The colonies are in a less than desirable state Conclusion: declare independence and create a national representative government of their own The colonies have the ability to declare independence

Calling for Independence 3. American Crisis To gather support for the Continental Army from the civilian population Calling for Independence Tortured Publicly executed Supported independence Patriots Imprisoned Robbed humiliated Remained loyal to England Loyalists / Tories

Calling for Independence 4. Declaration of Independence Dismissed colonial assemblies when they defended the rights of colonists Calling for Independence If the colonists have any hope of winning against the British they will need foreign support Kept a standing army in peacetime without colonial consent Imposed taxes without colonial consent He shot at his own subjects (Lexington/Concord) What do you need to be a “country?” land government population recognition

Calling for Independence 5. Declaration of Independence Discusses the natural rights that all men have – rights given by God Calling for Independence States that the people have a right to overthrow a government that fails to protect their rights List specific grievances to prove the King George is no longer protecting the rights of the English colonists States that the colonies are no longer under British rule but under their own self-governing government

First Continental Congress Second Continental Congress Olive Branch Petition Common Sense 1775 1776 Declaration of Independence adopted William Dawes and Paul Revere Ride Lexington and Concord Battle of Bunker Hill Ride: warn militia that the redcoats are on the march (John Hancock and Samuel Adams) Insignificant battle militarily but gave the colonists confidence that they could stand up to the mighty British Army.

Jefferson’s Desk Picture Someone at the 2nd Continental Congress with Jefferson (label) Calendar – important date When did he write the Declaration of Independence Time period communication To someone on the Committee in charge of the Declaration Book Written by a philosopher that influenced the writing of the Declaration Written Document A document that Jefferson wrote (or was working on) Memento