2. Bell Ringer Is there an idea you believe in so much that you would be willing to die for?

3. The Second Continental Congress

4. Takes place in Philadelphia The month after the revolution begins with the shots at Lexington & Concord Unlike the First Continental Congress, all 13 colonies sent delegates Presided over by JH

5. The Second Continental Congress The conservatives, led by John Dickenson Desired reconciliation with Great Britain Olive Branch Petition, letter to King George III How did the King Respond? – The proceedings quickly split between two factions

6. The Second Continental Congress The radicals led by John Adams & Samuel Adams Desired support for the revolution and independence “Declaration of Causes and the Necessity of Taking Up Arms” stating colonial willingness to fight

7. The Second Continental Congress King George rejects the Olive Branch Petition and declares the colonies to be in open rebellion "blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent.“

8. The Second Continental Congress The delegates charge Thomas Jefferson & others to write a declaration of American independence Jefferson writes the first draft, the full body of delegates make revisions and vote to approve it

9. The Declaration of Independence In June 1776, Thomas Jefferson, only 33 years old, distilled a century of enlightenment thought into a few sentences: "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 among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

10. Even if imperfect in their application, the thought that all men were equal and that government existed to serve the people, was revolutionary in a world dominated by monarchy and aristocracy. Jefferson's words have changed the nature of government throughout the world

11. What examples can you think of to demonstrate how the application of the ideas in the Declaration of Independence were applied imperfectly?

12. The Second Continental Congress "Remember the Ladies" is a playful, yet serious letter from Abigail to John Adams asking him to keep women in mind when forming the new government.

13. The Second Continental Congress Other business of the Second Continental Congress Establish a Continental Army Appoint a general to lead them Begin printing paper currency to pay them Organize a committee to deal with foreign nations

14. Loyalists v. Patriots Loyalists were supportive of Great Britain and wanted to remain British 1/3 of the population Often abusively treated by other colonists The other 2/3’s likely supported independence to varying degrees, though only half of those supported it vocally. Why? Patriots are the unwavering supporters

15. Thomas Paine After intense fighting in and around Boston & before independence had been declared, Paine writes Common Sense Largely thought of as a brilliant propaganda piece, Common Sense lays out a passionate case for independence in the language of the common people Less than a year after independence is declared, an ill equipped Continental Army experiences low moral In response, Paine writes Crisis, a series of 9 essays to boost moral and public support for the war

16. The Fighting The British are well trained, well equipped, and often outnumber the colonists on the battlefield The colonies are handed defeat after defeat British seize New York & Boston The Continental Army & militia often take up defensive positions but are continually pushed back Congress struggles to get colonists to commit to the army, fund the army, and supply the army

17. George Washington Respected by his troops Leads an ill equipped army plagued by deserters, lack of training, & poor funding Brutal winter of 1776 Troops have extremely low moral On Christmas, Washington leads a daring surprise attack against the British & the Hessian mercenaries Iconic crossing of the Delaware

18. Saratoga The battle of Saratoga represents a turning point in the war British General John Burgoyne and his army plans to move south where he will meet up with two other British armies and face the Continentals The other two British armies are not there, and Burgoyne is quickly surrounded and forced to surrender along with his whole army

19. The French The French, wanted revenge on Britain for the Seven Years War, but didn’t want to back us without confidence we could actually win News of our victory at Saratoga gave Franklin the leverage he needed The French agree to send troops and their Navy Benjamin Franklin had been in France for months trying to gain an ally to support us in the war

20. Yorktown After a grueling campaign through the southern colonies, General Cornwallis retreated to the coast of Yorktown, Virginia for the winter and the protection of the Royal Navy. Cornwallis was not aware however that the French navy had defeated the British fleet at the Battle of the Capes in September. When Cornwallis arrived at Yorktown, he found the French navy at his back and the American army before him.

22. The World Turned Upside Down The Americans and French laid siege to the British position and, with no where to turn, Cornwallis surrendered on 20 October 1781. This ended major fighting in the Revolutionary War. Legend says that, as the British surrendered, their band played the song "The World Turned Upside Down."

23. Treaty of Paris The Treaty of Paris 1783 officially ends the Revolutionary War The newly created United States of America are granted all British lands between the Atlantic Ocean & the Mississippi River and north to British Canada