Declaring Independence & Revolution Early American History

Let’s set the stage: By July 4 th, 1776, fighting had already broken out between colonists and the British. First shots fired in Lexington and Concord King George III had enforced strict rules upon the colonists. Colonists felt they were being improperly punished without any representation in the British Parliament. Tea Act, Stamp Act, etc.

Americans push back… First Continental Congress (1774) Meet to figure out how to counter the British actions. 55 delegates from 12 colonies met. What did they accomplish? Protest the Intolerable Acts Port of Boston closed Quartering Act: required housing of British Soldiers Agreed to meet again in future. Second Continental Congress

Second Continental Congress. Meeting of some of the most important people in American History. John Hancock, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams George Washington was NOT a member of the Congress… He was General of the Army, appointed by the Congress. Met on May 10, 1775; continued off and on until March 1, Assumed all responsibilities of a government War had already begun; Congress took control of the War effort. Extended the Olive Branch Petition to England Last chance at reconciliation with the British. Most importantly: created the Declaration of Independence Declared independence from Great Britain

I. Why was the Declaration of Independence written? On June 7, 1776, the Continental Congress called for the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain. The Congress wanted to be sure that the reasons for it’s actions were clear. Committee of Five created to draft the Declaration of Independence: Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock was the first man to sign; his signature is the largest so that “the King would be sure to read it”. On July 4, 1776, members of Congress passed the Declaration of Independence and sent it to King George III.

“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal & that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that are among these life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness- that to secure these rights; governments are instituted among men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever an form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute new government…”

II. How is the Declaration of Independence organized? It has four important parts: Ideals: sets forth the founders beliefs about the purposes of government. It is one of the best statements of the ideals of our nation. Arguments: gives reasons why the colonies thought they were justified in breaking away from Great Britain. Shows how they previously attempted to resolve the issues. “Olive Branch Petition” Complaints: a list of complaints against the British King. Shows how the King violated the rights of the colonists Stamp Act, Tea Act, Boarding of Soldiers, “taxation without representation” Conclusion: states that the bond between Great Britain and the colonies is dissolved.

III. What principles (ideals) of government does the Declaration include? States that “all men are created equal…” People have certain basic rights that government should not violate Sound familiar? (Locke’s philosophy) Life, liberty & pursuit of happiness. Originally “life, liberty and pursuit of property”. Property changed to happiness to open the realm to other classes of people.

IV. Arguments for independence Declaration was a justification for independence. Main arguments (sound familiar?) The rights of the people are based on natural law. (“natural law is higher law than law made by man”) If government violates natural law, the people have a right to change or abolish that government & form a new one. An agreement existed between colonists and the king. Parliament didn’t have the right to govern or tax colonists (no agreement existed between colonists and Parliament) Colonists did not have representation in Parliament, so the colonists didn’t believe they had King violated social contract, by violating colonists rights.

V. What complaints against the king are included? Refuses to approve laws necessary for common good. Seeking to destroy colonial legislatures Obstructing justice Keeping standing army in time of peace. Requiring quartering of British soldiers. Quartering = staying in their homes without consent Imposing taxes without colonists consent. Regulating or restricting trade.

VI. Was everyone for independence? To rebel is a serious matter. About 1/3 of colonists DID NOT support a revolution. These people were known as LOYALISTS Supported the British during the war. About 1/3 of colonists were NEUTRAL on the issue. About 1/3 of colonists DID support a revolution. These people were known as PATRIOTS

These PatriotsNOT These Patriots

VII. Loyalists v. Patriots LOYALISTS Supported British Wealthy, upper class of colonists Did not agree with the way colonists were treated, but independence not the answer. Difficulty living in colonies during war (mistreated) PATRIOTS Supported Revolution Included people like Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere. Sons of Liberty & Daughters of Liberty

Summary The colonists objected to what they thought was questionable treatment from the Crown in London They created one of the most famous documents in the history of the world to show their displeasure with the British Declaration of Independence This document has been influential in many circles and events in world history French Revolution The next problem would be to create the government…