A NATION DECLARES INDEPENDENCE

THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS SHORT VIDEO: HPLBULW0 HPLBULW0 From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States. The First Continental Congress: Was made up of delegates from the colonies Met in 1774 in reaction to the Intolerable Acts, a series of measures imposed by the British government on the colonies in response to their resistance to new taxes What does “delegate” mean? Why was it Important to have delegates from each colony?

COMMON SENSE – THOMAS PAINE SHORT VIDEO: N-REVOLUTION/AMERICAN-REVOLUTION- HISTORY/VIDEOS/THOMAS-PAINE N-REVOLUTION/AMERICAN-REVOLUTION- HISTORY/VIDEOS/THOMAS-PAINE Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. Think: Why do you think Paine called his work “Common Sense?” What does it mean to use plain language?

THE VIRGINIA RESOLUTION “THESE COLONIES ARE, AND OF RIGHT OUGHT TO BE, INDEPENDENT STATES.” – RICHARD HENRY LEE Paine’s pamphlet increased support for independence within the Continental Congress Before voting on Lee’s resolution, congress appointed a committee to draw up a statement stating the reasons for separation from Britain 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson was given the task of composing the document

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 4 PARTS: THE PREAMBLE THE DECLARATION OF NATURAL RIGHTS THE LIST OF GRIEVANCES RESOLUTION OF INDEPENDENCE SHORT VIDEO:

PART 1: THE PREAMBLE: REASONS FOR WRITING THE DECLARATION States that the document will explain to the world the reasons why the colonists feel impelled (driven) to separate from Great Britain

YOUR TURN: RE-WRITE THE PREAMBLE!

PART 2: PROTECTION OF NATURAL RIGHTS If a government fails to protect people’s natural rights (basic rights), the people have a right to reject it and create another. Protection to basic rights are unalienable (cannot be taken away) Colonists feel that the king’s repeated usurpations (unjust uses of power) are a form of despotism (dictatorship)

YOUR TURN: RE-WRITE THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RIGHTS!

PART 3: LIST OF GRIEVANCES AGAINST THE KING King George has violated colonists’ rights and ignored their petitions The list details the colonists’ complaints against the British government, King George III in particular: The colonists have no say in determining the laws that govern them The colonists refuse to relinquish (give up) the right to representation There are no elections; therefore, colonists are unable to protect themselves from convulsions (riots) Foreigners are unable to become citizens The king alone determines how long a judge’s term will be Colonists have been lodging troops in their homes The king took the rights of the people in Canada away; fear he could do the same in the colonies The king hired mercenaries (soldiers) to bring death and destruction to the colonists (the king is cruel) The colonists have tried to repeatedly petition the king to redress (correct) his wrongs, but they have been ignored BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE KING TREATS HIS SUBJECTS, HE IS NOT FIT TO RULE A FREE PEOPLE

YOUR TURN: RE-WRITE THE LIST OF GRIEVANCES!

PART 4: DECLARING INDEPENDENCE Therefore, the colonies declare their independence from Great Britain. The colonists have proven their rectitude (justness) of their cause.

YOUR TURN: DECLARE INDEPENDENCE!

IMPACT OF THE DECLARATION July 4, 1776 – Congress approved the Declaration (actual signing was August 2) No longer were Patriots fighting for fairer treatment from Britain – now they were fighting for a new nation (no turning back!) The statement, “all men are created equal” still inspires people in nations all over the world.