Declaring Independence The Road to Revolution Declaring Independence

Second Continental Congress Met in Philadelphia beginning in May 1775 Formed Continental Army Washington chosen to lead Washington showed up in his military uniform Tallest man at convention – he looked the part Authorized printing of paper money to pay troops Representatives to the meeting were beginning to act like a government

Battle of Bunker Hill Tension was brewing in Boston 1775 Colonial militia had seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill and fortified Breed’s Hill Actually fought on Breed’s Hill

Battle of Bunker Hill William Prescott, “Don’t Fire until you see the whites of their eyes” Dr. James Warren, member of the Sons of Liberty, was killed English win battle at huge cost (1,000 killed or wounded) Colonial militia was holding its own against the world’s most powerful army.

Offering an Olive Branch July 1775 Moderate members of the congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition Asked the King to restore harmony between England and the colonies The king rejected the offer and sought new ways to punish the colonies Blocked colonial ports and hired German Hessians to fight in colonies

Siege of Boston Continental Army surrounded the British in Boston Washington had artillery capture at Fort Ticonderoga moved to Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston The Continental Army controlled the high ground and threatened to bombard the City British General Howe withdrew his troops

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” In 1776 most colonists wanted to avoid complete break with England Paine ridiculed the “Divine Right of Kings” and disagreed with economic reasons for remaining with England Common Sense caused more colonists to embrace the idea of independence from England

Declaring Independence May 1776 Second Continental Congress adopted resolution authorizing each colony to create its own government Richard Henry Lee (VA) introduced a resolution saying that the colonies “are and of right, ought to be free and independent states” Appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence

drafted the Declaration Committee that drafted the Declaration Benjamin Franklin John Adams Thomas Jefferson Robert Livingston Roger Sherman John Adams

The Writing of the Declaration of Independence

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 July 4, 1776 – Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence John Hancock, president of the congress was the first to sign Declaring Independence

The Declaration in Five Parts Preamble “When in the Course of Human events…” The Rights of the People “…We hold these truths to be self evident…” List of Grievances “…He has refused his assent to laws…for the public good…” Efforts to avoid separation “…We have petitioned for a redress of grievances in the most humblest terms…” Independence Declared “…These united colonies are, of right ought to be free and independent states…”