1. Declaring Independence
Chapter 4 Section 2
Declaring Independence

2. The Battles of Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775
Causes
- Governor Thomas Gage sends troops to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams
- wanted to seize Patriot weapons stockpiled

3. The Battles of Lexington and Concord
Militia Formed
- local Patriots rally together
- consisted of full-time farmers, part-time soldiers, etc.
Who warned the colonists that the British were coming?
- Page 108

4. Second Continental Congress
May 1775
- Delegates from all colonies meet in Philadelphia
- George Washington given command of the new Continental Army
July 1775
- Olive Branch Petition
- reaffirmed allegiance to King George III but not to Parliament
- King rejected and sent more troops

5. Patriots and Loyalists Disagree Graphic Organizer
Loyalists (pgs )
- List at least 10 reasons why Loyalists believed they should remain loyal to the King
- Draw symbol
Patriots (pgs )
- List at least 10 reasons why Patriots believed they were right in going against the King
- Draw symbol

6. Opinion Swings Toward Independence
Thomas Paine
- Common Sense
- independence from Britain
- republican state governments
- union of the new states
*Paine depicted the King, rather than Parliament, as the greatest enemy of American liberty

7. Colonists Declare Independence
Declaration of Independence ( July 4, 1776)
- drafted by Thomas Jefferson
- announced American independence and listed reasons why (grievances)
- main ideas: ‘all men are created equal’ and ‘unalienable rights.’