Chapter 6 The Declaration Of Independence

6.1 Introduction *Most Americans were shocked by the news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. *They had to choose between declaring their independence or continuing with protests and petitions. Many argued for independence, like Patrick Henry, who said, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” *Only after war had started did the colonies decide to declare their independence.

Test Prep Who said, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”? A) John Adams B) Patrick Henry C) Thomas Jefferson D) George Washington ANSWER-B) Patrick Henry

6.2 The War Begins *On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. *They choose George Washington to command their new “continental army” made up of troops from all over the colonies. The Battle of Bunker Hill *June 16, Israel Putnam leads a few hundred men up Breed’s Hill just outside of Boston to build a crude fort overlooking the town. *British General William Howe sends around 2000 redcoats to attack the fort. *Putnam orders his troops, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” *It takes the British 3 attacks before they finally take the hill, but at a cost of over 1000 British troops The war has begun!

Test Prep Who was chosen by the Second Continental Congress to command the new Continental Army? A) John Adams B) William Howe C) Henry Knox D) George Washington Answer-D) George Washington

6.3 Siege of Boston *George Washington takes control of the continental army a week after the Battle of Bunker Hill. Ticonderoga *Desperate to get more gunpowder, Washington sends letters to the colonies. *He then sends Henry Knox to Fort Ticonderoga to round up some big guns. *As winter sets in, Knox loads 59 cannons and 2,300 pounds of lead onto sleds and drags them 300 miles to Boston. Boston is about to be put under siege.

The British Abandon Boston *On March 4, 1776, British soldiers in Boston awake to a frightening sight; cannons aiming down on them from nearby Dorchester Heights. *Rather than risk more bloodshed, General Howe abandons the city. *Within days more than 100 ships, 9000 British soldiers and 1100 loyalists leave Boston Harbor for Canada. *Some feel that the war is over, but Washington knows it has only begun. Washington at Dorchester Heights

Test Prep The British withdrew from Boston in 1776 after A) seeing cannons aimed down on them from nearby Dorchester Heights. B) hearing that the colonists had formed the Continental Army. C) clashing with the colonial militias at Lexington and Concord. D) losing more than 1,000 men during the battle of Bunker Hill. Answer- A) seeing cannons aimed down on them from nearby Dorchester Heights.

6.4 Toward Independence *More than a year passed between the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord and the British retreat from Boston. *Most colonists still consider themselves Loyalists. *Their quarrel is not with Great Britain itself, but with its policies toward the Colonies. The Olive Branch Petition *June 1775 Congress sends petition to King George III asking him to end the quarrel. John Adams calls it an “olive branch.” By the time it reaches King George, he has already declared the colonies to be in open rebellion, and orders the “traitors” to be brought to justice.

6.4 Continued… Common Sense *1776 Thomas Paine publishes a fiery pamphlet entitled “Common Sense.” Paine argues that: 1. The colonists do not owe loyalty to the King. 2. American trade has suffered under British rule. 3. America has been hurt by being dragged into Britain’s European wars. *Within a few months more than 120,000 copies of Common Sense are printed. It helps persuade thousands of colonists that independence is a key to a brighter future.

Test Prep What was the impact of Common Sense in the colonies? A) It persuaded many colonists that the time had come to declare independence. B) It reminded colonists that they owed loyalty and respect to King George. C) It encouraged the colonies to seek a peaceful settlement with Britain. D) it convinced many colonists that they could not win a war against Britain. Answer- A) It persuaded many colonists that the time had come to declare independence.

Test Prep The purpose of the Olive Branch Petition was to persuade A) British troops to leave Boston. B) Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act. C) King George to make peace with the colonists. D) volunteers to join the Continental Army. Answer- C) King George to make peace with the colonists.

6.5 Thomas Jefferson Drafts a Declaration A few weeks after the British leave Boston, the Continental Congress appoints a committee to write a declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson is chosen to draft the declaration. His job is to explain to the world why the colonies are choosing to separate from Britain. Natural Rights *Jefferson argues that all people have “natural rights” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. *He states that governments are formed to protect these rights, and that if a government fails to protect these rights, the people have the right to abolish that government.

Test Prep The Declaration of Independence was written to explain A) why the colonists thought “taxation without representation” was unfair. B) what Britain needed to do to win back the loyalty of the colonies. C) why it was time for the colonies to separate from Great Britain. D) what other nations could do to help the colonies with their freedom. Answer- C) why it was time for the colonies to separate from Britain.

Test Prep The Declaration of Independence states that all people are born with certain rights that include the A) right to elect leaders who represent the people. B) rights to speak freely and to worship in peace. C) right to feel safe and secure in one’s home. D) right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Answer- D) right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

6.5 Continued… The King’s Crimes *Jefferson lists the King’s crimes and states that George III “is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” *He claims that the time has come for the colonies’ ties to Britain to be broken. *…”the United Colonies ought to be free, independent states.”

6.6 The Final Break *July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia’s state house to debate independence. By the end of the day the issue is still unresolved. *July 2, all but one of the colonies vote for independence. Only New York votes no. *John Adams predicts that “the second of July John Adams will be celebrated for generations with parades, games, fireworks, forevermore.” Debate Over Slavery *Jefferson charges that King George has violated the “sacred rights of life and liberty of distant people by carrying them into slavery.” *Delegates debate the issue of slavery for two days and finally decide to keep it out Triangle Trade Route of Slave of the declaration.

6.6 Continued… Independence Day *On July 4, the delegates approve a final version of the Declaration of Independence. *By signing it, each delegate pledges “his life, his fortunes, and his sacred honor.” *Each signer knows he is committing an act of treason. Benjamin Franklin tells the delegates, “We must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

Test Prep The day on which the Declaration of Independence was approved in 1776 is celebrated today as A) Thanksgiving Day. B) Independence Day. C) Memorial Day. D) Veterans Day. Answer- B) Independence Day.

6.7 Chapter Summary *Soon after the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, the struggle with Great Britain turns into all-out war. *The Second Continental Congress elects George Washington as the head of the Continental Army. *After the Battle of Bunker Hill, British troops abandon Boston. The Olive Branch Petition fails, and Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense. *Thomas Jefferson is chosen to write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. *July 4, 1776 declaration is signed by all the delegates. *For the first time in history a government is being established on the basis of the natural rights of people.

Declaration of Independence Schoolhouse Rock