1. Moving Towards Independence pp. 137-142
Ch. 5 Section4
Moving Towards Independence pp

2. Topics for Quiz 5-3 Thomas Paine and “Common Sense”
Lexington and Concord
Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys
Patriot, Loyalist and Neutral
George Washington chosen as commander
Olive Branch Petition
Bunker Hill
Patrick Henry speech

3. Colonial Leaders Emerge
May 5, 1775, the Second Continental Congress gathered
New delegates to the Congress were: Benjamin Franklin—Pa., John Hancock—Mass., Thomas Jefferson—Va.
Congress started governing the colonies—printed money and set up post office-run by Ben Franklin
Created the Continental Army with Washington in charge on John Adams’s recommendation

4. The Colonies Take the Offensive
Olive Branch Petition was sent to King George to try one last time for peace—he refused to receive it
forces captured Montreal and failed at an attack on Quebec under Benedict Arnold
Washington, surrounded the British in Boston in March The British withdrew to Nova Scotia

5. Moving Toward Independence
Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “Common Sense”, a best seller, influenced colonists to favor breaking from England
Delegates at the 2nd Continental Congress debated whether to declare themselves independent
On July 2, 1776, the delegates debated the Declaration, on July 4, 1776, it was approved.

6. Declaration of Independence
One of the most important documents in American History—written by Thomas Jefferson
States 3 main principles for American government (a principle is a primary or fundamental truth on which other truths depend)
The Declaration has 4 parts: Preamble, Demanding Basic Rights, Listing abuses and Declaring Independence

7. What does the Declaration Say? In the Preamble
The Continental Congress wanted to explain why they were breaking away
People are governed by Natural Laws which are the laws of nature designed by God that all people live under

8. Declaration of Natural Rights
All Men are Created Equal
All Men are entitled to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Jefferson goes on to explain:
Governments get their power from the people
If a government takes away the people’s rights
Then the people have a right to start a new government