Road to Independence Moving Toward Independence p

Colonial Leaders Emerge On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met for the first time. On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met for the first time. This meeting included many great political leaders in America: John Jay, John and Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson This meeting included many great political leaders in America: John Jay, John and Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin represented the colonies in London during the Stamp Act Crisis, and helped secure the repeal of the act. Benjamin Franklin represented the colonies in London during the Stamp Act Crisis, and helped secure the repeal of the act.

Colonial Leaders Emerge The Second Continental Congress began to govern the colonies. The Second Continental Congress began to govern the colonies. It created a Continental Army to fight against Britain in a more organized way than the colonial militias could. It created a Continental Army to fight against Britain in a more organized way than the colonial militias could. George Washington was unanimously voted as the commander. George Washington was unanimously voted as the commander.

Colonial Leaders Emerge The Congress sent a petition, or formal request, to King George III giving him one last chance to avoid all-out war. The Congress sent a petition, or formal request, to King George III giving him one last chance to avoid all-out war. This petition is called the Olive Branch Petition. This petition is called the Olive Branch Petition. It assured the king of the colonist’s desire for peace. It assured the king of the colonist’s desire for peace. It asked the king to protect the colonists’ rights. It asked the king to protect the colonists’ rights. King George III refused to receive the Olive Branch Petition and instead prepared for war. King George III refused to receive the Olive Branch Petition and instead prepared for war. George III hired 30,000 German troops to send to America to fight beside British troops. George III hired 30,000 German troops to send to America to fight beside British troops.

Moving Toward Independence Some Americans still hoped to avoid a complete break With Britain, but support for absolute independence was growing. Some Americans still hoped to avoid a complete break With Britain, but support for absolute independence was growing. In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense that captured the attention of the American colonists. In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense that captured the attention of the American colonists. Paine called for complete independence from Britain. Paine called for complete independence from Britain. He argued that it was “common sense” to stop following the “royal brute,” King George III. He argued that it was “common sense” to stop following the “royal brute,” King George III. Paine explained the cause was not just a squabble over taxes, but a struggle for freedom. Paine explained the cause was not just a squabble over taxes, but a struggle for freedom. Common Sense inspired thousands of Americans. Common Sense inspired thousands of Americans.

The Colonies Declared Independence At the Second Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the Declaration of Independence. At the Second Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the Declaration of Independence. After some changes, the Congress approved Jefferson’s draft of the declaration of independence on July 4, After some changes, the Congress approved Jefferson’s draft of the declaration of independence on July 4, John Hancock, the president of the Congress, was first to sign and declared he wrote his name large enough for King George to read it without his glasses. John Hancock, the president of the Congress, was first to sign and declared he wrote his name large enough for King George to read it without his glasses. Copies of the declaration were sent to the newly declared states. Copies of the declaration were sent to the newly declared states.

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration has 4 sections: The Declaration has 4 sections: –Preamble, or introduction, states that people who wish to form a new country should explain their reasons for doing so. –Next two sections list the rights the colonists believed they should have and their complaints against Britain. –The last, proclaims the existence of the new nation. The Declaration states that government exists to protect rights and lists many grievances Americans had against the king and Parliament. The Declaration states that government exists to protect rights and lists many grievances Americans had against the king and Parliament.

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration ends by announcing Americans new status: a new nation. The Declaration ends by announcing Americans new status: a new nation. The struggle for American independence – the American Revolution – had begun. The struggle for American independence – the American Revolution – had begun.