4.2 Ideas Help Start a Revolution OBJECTIVE: Learn about the Continental Congress and increasing tensions between Britain and her Colonies. Understand why Americans declared independence from Britain.

Second Continental Congress Independencevs. John Adams Appoints General Washington head of Continental Congress Prints currency Sends Benjamin Franklin to France Battle of Bunker Hill Reconciliation William Franklin John Dickinson “Olive Branch Petition”Olive Branch Petition (see Marylanders’ signatures at bottom)  Rejected by George III, who ordered a blockade of the colonies

Battle of Breeds Hill (AKA Bunker Hill)

CASUALTIES: British: out of 2,200 troops, 268 British soldiers and officers KIA, 828 WIA. Americans: 115 KIA, 305 WIA (NPS)

George Washington's copy of Common Sense That America's patriot leaders read Thomas Paine's inflammatory Common Sense soon after it was published in early 1776 is indicated by this first edition, owned by George Washington himself. (Boston Athenaeum) George Washington's copy of Common Sense VIDEO Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

“Common Sense” The nearer any government approaches to a republic the less business there is for a king. It is somewhat difficult to find a proper name for the government of England. Sir William Meredith calls it a republic; but in its present state it is unworthy of the name, because the corrupt influence of the crown, by having all the places in its disposal, hath so effectively swallowed up the power, and eaten out the virtue of the house of commons that the government of England is nearly as monarchical as that of France or Spain.

Ideas of Revolution “ Common Sense” by Thomas Paine Originally an anonymous work Firmly introduces call for independence Calls for an end to monarchy and the beginning of a republic Declaration of Independence Continental Congress appoints a committee to prepare a declaration Thomas Jefferson chosen to express declaration Draws on philosophy of the Enlightenment Ideas of John Locke, “natural rights” Right to resist tyranny

Declaration of Independence It should be noted… 1.Power is derived from the consent of the governed = people 2.King’s power is not a “divine right.” Rather, the people have unalienable rights. 3.Original draft was rejected by South Carolina and Georgia because it attacked the slave trade. 4.The call for Equality was not originally meant to include women or minorities. 5.Second Continental Congress called for independence on July 2, 1776, and adopted the Declaration on July 4 th.

CausesIdeas Declaration of Independence Results

LetterLetter of Samuel Chase to John Adams regarding Declaration of Independence

Road to Independence 1775 – Second Continental Congress appoints G. Washington commander of Boston troops Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Ft. Ticonderoga and Croup Point un upper NY June 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill Aug. 1775, George III declares colonies treasonous, hires Hessians Oct, 1775 Falmouth burned by British Oct 1775 American invasion of Canada fails Jan 1776 Norfolk burned by British March 1776 British Evacuate Boston 1776 Common Sense published, end of “shilly-shallying”

Compare and Contrast Loyalists and Patriots

Loyalists vs. Patriots Maybe 1/3 of colonists were loyalists Loyalists were stronger in the South Loyalists included members of King’s govt. in colonies, such as judges, governors, etc. AND many ordinary colonists. Perhaps 1/3 to 1/2 of the colonists were patriots = calling for independence. Patriots tended to come from those who wanted more economic independence. *Many Americans tried to stay neutral, esp. Quakers. African-Americans fought on both sides. Native Americans tended to side with the British.

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