Chapter 4 Section 3 Declaring Independence

I. Introduction A. British Soldiers occupied Boston B. Minutemen held hills overlooking Boston

Bunker Hill

I. Introduction C. June 17, 1775 Britain attacked Breed’s Hill (Bunker Hill) 1. British soldiers advanced up hill 3 times

I. Introduction C. June 17, 1775 Britain attacked Breed’s Hill (Bunker Hill) 2. Colonists retreated only when they ran out of gunpowder British casualties 4. Proved that colonists would would stand and fight

Bunker Hill “A few such victories will ruin our army” British officer after Bunker Hill

II. Debating Independence A. Representatives from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia 1. May 10, Radicals favored break from Britain 3. Conservatives favored favored staying loyal to Britain 4. Most delegates were moderates

II. Debating Independence B. Since shots were already fired, first business was to create army 1. Appointed George Washington commander of Continental Army

Washington Appointed Commander in Chief of Continental Army

Washington’s Flag

II. Debating Independence C. Common Sense 1. Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine 2. Paine was recent immigrant from England

Thomas Paine Born: February 9, 1737 Wrote: Common Sense; The Crisis; Rights of Man; Age of Reason; Agrarian Justice; After American Revolution went to France and was involved in their Revolution. Was given honorary French citizenship and, despite not speaking French was elected to French National Convention. Was later arrested by the French and eventually returned to America.

II. Debating Independence C. Common Sense 3. Convinced Americans that that independence was right 4. Sold 500,000 copies

II. Debating Independence C. Common Sense 5. Fighting now had new meaning a. Not for rights, but for independence

Common Sense Arguments An island can’t rule a continent Even if Britain is the “mother country”, no parent would treat her children like Britain has Being part of Britain would involve the colonies in unnecessary European wars Distance between Britain and colonies too great Britain not interested in American interests but their own

II. Debating Independence D. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed independence to Second Continental Congress Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. Born: January 20, 1732 Served as member of Continental Congress; Signer of Declaration of Independence; President Pro Tempore of 2 nd Continental Congress

II. Debating Independence D. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed independence to Second Continental Congress 1. Voted to put off decision until July 1 2. Appointed committee to write statement why independence needed

II. Debating Independence D. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed independence to Second Continental Congress 3. Thomas Jefferson given the task in the committee

Thomas Jefferson Born: April 13, 1743, in Virginia Jefferson’s Father died when Thomas was 14 years old. Entered the College of William and Mary as an advanced student. Graduated at 19

Thomas Jefferson “During the most closely occupied days of his college life, it was his habit to study until two o’clock at night an rise at dawn.”

Thomas Jefferson After college he studied the law under George Wythe. During this time he heard a speech by Patrick Henry that turned him into a Patriot. He later said this was the most important day of his life.

Thomas Jefferson In 1767 Jefferson was admitted to the bar and became a lawyer. He later married Martha Wayles Skelton.

Thomas Jefferson In July of 1774, Jefferson wrote A Summary View of The Rights of British Americans. In it he wrote: “Can any one reason be assigned why electors in the island of Great Britain should give law to four million in the states of America, every individual of whom is equal to every individual of them in virtue, in understanding, and in bodily strength.”

Thomas Jefferson Jefferson initially suggested that John Adams write the Declaration of Independence Adams: “I will not. You should do it.” Jefferson: “Oh no! Why will you not? You ought to do it.” Adams: “I will not” Jefferson: “Why?” Adams: “Reasons enough” Jefferson: “Why can be your reasons.?” Adams: “Reason first – Your are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second – I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular. Your are very much otherwise. Reason third – You can write ten times better than I can.”

III. The Declaration of Independence A. On of the most politically important documents in history B. Delegates who signed were committing treason

III. The Declaration of Independence C. Provisions of the Declaration 1. First part called preamble a. States basic principles of democracy b. Natural rights given by God c. “... Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

III. The Declaration of Independence C. Provisions of the Declaration 1. First part called preamble d. People form governments to protect rights

III. The Declaration of Independence C. Provisions of the Declaration 2. List of grievances a. Taxed colonists without their consent b. Destroyed self government c. Stopped colonists from moving west d. British troops in colonies during peacetime

III. The Declaration of Independence C. Provisions of the Declaration 3. Last part declared independence a. Colonies had now become the United States of America b. All political ties with Britain cut

III. The Declaration of Independence D. Matching reality to ideals E. Declaration stated “all men are created equal” 1. Ideal, not reality 2. What about women, blacks, and Natives? a. 500,000 slaves in colonies

III. The Declaration of Independence E. Matching reality to ideals 4. Debate over slavery nearly derailed Declaration a. Jefferson had attacked slavery in first Draft Jefferson’s first draft of Declaration of Independence “He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, of to incur miserable death in their transportation hither.... Determined to deep open a market where men should be bought and sold...”

III. The Declaration of Independence D. Matching reality to ideals 5. Abigail Adams urged husband John to remember the women 6. Even though the country could not live up to the words now, it would become the source for future rights

III. The Declaration of Independence E. Debating loyalties 1.Colonists were divided over loyalties 2. Patriots were people who favored independence 3. Loyalists remained faithful to Britain

III. The Declaration of Independence E. Debating loyalties 4. Issue divided families and friends a. Benjamin Franklin’s son was Loyalist

III. The Declaration of Independence E. Debating loyalties 5. About 1/3 Patriots, 1/3 Loyalists, 1/3 didn’t care 6. Loyalists driven from homes, some fled to England