1. Declaring Independence
Aim: How did the colonists begin to fight for independence?
Do Now: Take out worksheet answers in notebook – Olive Branch and Common Sense worksheets

2. Patrick Henry – “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!”
There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next ship that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” –Patrick Henry

3. Fort Ticonderoga Attack on Fort Ticonderoga – 1775
Ethan Allen and Green Mountain Boys
Capture fort and artillery – cannon and large guns

4. Second Continental Congress
Second Continental Congress – May 1775
Continental Army formed
George Washington as commander
Congress will start to act as a government
Creates currency (money system)
Creates army
MEETS IN PHILADELPHIA

5. Battle of Bunker Hill Breed’s Hill seized by colonists British attack
“don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”
GB capture hill on second try
Militia held its own against redcoats
STOOD UP TO STRONGEST
ARMY IN THE WORLD

6. Siege of Boston – Apr 1775-March 1776
Redcoats surrounded in Boston and cut off from supplies (siege)
Standoff for months
Colonists threaten to use cannons from Fort Ticonderoga on city
British retreat

7. Declaring Independence
Aim: What is the importance of the Declaration of Independence?
Do Now: Why was the Second Continental Congress important?

8. Olive Branch Petition SUMMER 1775
Asked king to restore harmony between Britain and the colonies
Last hope of peace
King refuses
SUMMER 1775

9. Common Sense Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine
Americans need to break with GB
Helped initiate independence

10. Declaration of Independence
Second Continental Congress
Written by Thomas Jefferson
From Virginia and excellent writer
Adopted on July 4, 1776
Inspired by John Locke

11. Declaration of Independence
Declared human’s natural rights (not just Americans)
Government is created to protect those rights
If government fails to protect rights, people can rise up and form new government
(not really all mankind, no African Americans and women)

12. Declaring Independence
Homework – Paragraph – What is the importance of the Declaration of Independence?
Include details from the Declaration.