Ideas Help Start a Revolution Chapter 4 Section 2 Ideas Help Start a Revolution
Colonies hover between peace and war May 1775 Second Continental Congress John Adams – Each colony create own government and be independent from one another Name militiamen “Continental Army” & name a general to lead them 43-year-old George Washington is their leader Congress authorizes printing of paper money to pay troops
Battle of bunker hill June 17, 1775 British General Thomas Gage sends 2,400 British troops up Breed’s hill Colonists held fire for a while, but began shooting down redcoats Surviving British attacked twice more Won the third time because the Continental Army ran low on ammunition Colonists lost 450 men, British lost over 1,000
Olive branch petition Still felt loyal to King George III July 8, 1775 Sent Olive Branch Petition to king urging to return to the peace they once had King George III rejected it Said colonies were in rebellion Wants parliament to send a naval blockade
Patriots declare independence Common Sense Anonymous, 50-page pamphlet Written by Thomas Paine Colonists need to claim America as being independent Gives them the chance to create a better society with social and economic opportunities for all America’s “destiny” Would allow them to trade with other countries and receive aid from Britain’s enemies Sold nearly 500,000 copies
Declaring independence North Carolina declares itself independent Virginians favored independence also 2nd Continental Congress urges each colony to create own government Thomas Jefferson was chosen to speak on behalf of the committee
Declaration of Independence Natural rights – Life, Liberty, pursuit of Happiness Derive power from the people “alter or abolish” any government that threatened these principles “All men are created equal” Political equals Not same abilities or equal wealth Not meant for: women, Native-Americans, or African-Americans
1st draft : attacked Slave Trade South Carolina and Georgia objected Why? Eliminated from final draft July 2, 1776 Unanimous vote that colonies are free July 4, 1776 Adopted Declaration of Independence Document is read to crowd of people called Patriots – supporters of independence
Americans choose sides Loyalists and Patriots Loyalists those who remained loyal to the Crown Often changed sides Some stayed loyal because of their ties to the King (governors, judges) Others because they thought Britain would win Thought the crown could protect their rights better than the colonial government
Farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, elected officials Patriots Farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, elected officials Made up half the population Taking Sides Quakers supported Patriots African Americans – patriots usually Some for loyalists because they were promised freedom