Declaring Independence Pamphlet Project 4

Continental Army Forms 20,000 Colonial Minutemen surround Boston British Army sets up defense inside Boston Ethan Allen and his militia the “Green Mountain Boys” capture Britain’s fort of Ticonderoga and capture their artillery

The Second Continental Congress Met in Philadelphia Formed the Continental Army Washington was chosen as its commanding general Printed money to pay that army

The Battle of Bunker Hill Sealed any opportunity for the British and the colonists to make amends Britain won the battle, but . . . 1,000 British casualties 400 colonial casualties America had stood up to the world’s most powerful army

Olive Branch Petition Second Continental Congress tried to make peace with King George before the fighting got out of hand Colonial leaders asked for a return to “the former harmony” King George said no and ordered his navy to blockade the colonies

Washington Marches on Quebec Washington wanted to take Quebec and get the Canadians fighting with the Americans Washington mistimed his march and arrived in Canada during the midst of winter American attack failed, and the American army limped home

The British Retreat from Boston Washington positioned the artillery they had capture to bombard Boston The British army retreats from Boston Loyalist property in Boston was seized

Patriots win over the Colonists Colonists still wanted peace with Britain Kings refusal to accept the Olive Branch Petition & the colonists reading, Common Sense, by Thomas Paine.

John Locke Life, Liberty, Freedom, Property. The Basic Human Rights are known as “natural rights” Unalienable - Rights that everyone has and, no one can take away People have the right to choose their government and to overthrow it.

Declaring Independence Thomas Jefferson – a farmer with a gift for writing was asked by the Continental Congress to draft a document declaring independence He wrote the, Declaration of Independence influenced by John Locke Remember the Enlightenment? Declaration was signed by 55 delagates and John Hancock (First to sign)

July 4, 1776 Colonial delegates voted unanimously for freedom from Great Britain We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor

Loyalists vs Patriots Patriots Loyalist Wanted independence from Great Britain. Wanted to form their own country Many saw an economic opportunity = an opportunity to make money Loyalist Wanted to remain loyal to the King of Great Britain Many were governors and other King appointees Feared what would happen to them if the colonists lost the war Patriots made up about 50% of Americans Loyalists and neutral individuals made up the other 50%

Taking Sides Quakers – took sides with patriots but did not believe in fighting African Americans – took sides with the British because the British promised them freedom. Native Americans – sided with the British because colonists were the biggest threat