The Road to Revolution Declaring Independence

1. Lexington & Concord  Known as the “Shot heard ‘round the World.”  Considered the 1 st shot of the American Revolution  British tried to seize colonists’ arms & ammunition  Minutemen boasted they could be a moment’s notice  The colonial militia drove the British back to Boston

The Midnight Riders Boston Committee of Correspondence sent riders to warn colonists of British invasion Paul Revere Paul Revere William Dawes William Dawes

2. Choosing Sides:  Loyalists- Loyal to England  Patriots- those who sided with the rebels; wanted freedom from Britain

 Met in Philadelphia beginning in May Formed the Continental Army-Washington chosen to lead 2. Authorized printing of paper money 3. Wrote the Olive Branch Petition 3. Second Continental Congress

4. Offering an Olive Branch  Asked the King to restore peace in the colonies  Remove the British Army (redcoats)  The king rejected the offer  sought new ways to punish the colonies  Blocked colonial ports and hired German Hessians to fight in colonies

5. Common Sense  A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine.  Urged the colonist to support independence from Great Britain  Common Sense sold more than 100,000 copies  Gained large support for the Independence Movement (Patriots) “Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation”

While the men are away….  Abigail Adams  Wife of John Adams  Wrote letters to John while he was at the Congress and asked him to “remember the ladies” while he was fighting for independence and equality.  The first woman to speak of “Women’s rights” in America  Gathered and sent supplies to the Continental Army Mercy Otis Warren –A writer of many plays, poems, and essays that supported the idea of independence

Washington left to command the troops, but the Declaration of Independence had not been written yet, we had not officially declared war on England. The Congress continued to argue and debate over the issue of Independence while Washington and his men tried to defend the colonies from continual attacks by the Redcoats. Washington asked many times for supplies and support to be sent by Congress and Congress continued to ignore the needs of the troops. Frustration began to grow.

6. The Declaration of Independence: 1776  Signed: July 4, 1776  Declared our independence from Britain  Listed the grievances the colonist had against the King.

Declaring Independence  Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the declaration  Excellent writer  From Virginia  Based on Natural Rights philosophy of John Locke  “Unalienable Rights”  Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness  John Hancock, president of the congress was the first to sign  Also a member of the Sons of Liberty

Declaration Committee: John Adams Robert Livingston John Adams Roger Sherman Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin

3 MVPs of the Declaration of Independence 2. John Adams  Boston, MA  One of the most outspoken members in support of independence.  Worked closely with Franklin and Jefferson to make sure the D of I was passed. 3. Benjamin Franklin  Philadelphia, PA  Very well-liked and influential  Supported independence and helped sway others for support  Worked closely with Adams and Jefferson to make sure the D of I was passed 1. Thomas Jefferson  Virginia  Wrote the D of I  Studied the teachings of John Locke