4.2 - Ideas Help Start a Revolution

Main Idea Essential Question What were main ideas in the Declaration of Independence?

Examine efforts to avoid bloodshed as the colonies contemplated war Summarize the philosophical and political ideals of the Declaration of Independence Contrast the attitudes of Loyalists and Patriots

 “No man was a warmer wisher for a reconciliation than myself, before the fatal 19 th of April 1775, but the moment the event of that day was made known, I rejected the hardened, sullen tempered Pharaoh of Britain forever… the wretch, that with the pretend title of Father of his people can unfeelingly hear of their slaughter, and composedly sleep with their blood on his soul.”  Thomas Paine, 1775

 2 nd Continental Congress –  Divided colonial representatives over whether to go to war  Debate took place over whether to raise an army:  Those for – Americans need the capacity to defend itself from Britain  Those against – Stepping up armed resistance jeopardizes reconciliation  John Adams –  Idea radical, and strongly opposed by delegates such as John Dickinson  Eventually the Congress elects to prepare itself for war, but to not declare independence  George Washington –  Veteran of the French and Indian War

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 Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage decides to strike against newly formed Continental Army encamped on Breed’s Hill outside of Charlestown  Battle of Bunker Hill –  British suffer from over confidence, failed to use ground cover as effectively as the Colonists  Casualty –

 Olive Branch Petition –  King George rejects Petition and orders a Naval blockade of the American Coast. Considered to be too little too late  Common Sense –  500,000 copies were sold, widely distributed amongst elites and commoners  Eased Colonists’ concerns that they needed British rule of law to survive

Common Sense

 By early 1776, North Carolina and Virginia had declared independence  Thomas Jefferson –  Jefferson was inspired by British philosopher John Locke and his idea of natural rights  Jefferson regretted having to eliminate a passage that condemned the slave trade, despite being a slave owner himself  Natural Rights –  July 4 th 1776, the colonies voted unanimously to accept the Declaration of Independence and create the United States of America

 Declaration of Independence –  Ideas of America natural rights and democratic values are born  Declaration stated that “All men are created equal,” rejecting the European notion of Aristocracy and birth right  Initially referred to white men, but the definition is expanded  Social Contract –

Critical Thinking The Declaration of Independence drove America to a point of new return. What was the argument of people who were reluctant to declare independence? What did people argue who were in favor?