1. Unit 3- American Revolution
Unit 3- American Revolution - America Declares Independence: The Declaration

2. Bell Ringer:
Why would the colonist want to declare their independence from the English?

3. Road to Independence Second Continental Congress
Met in May 1775, Philadelphia
Delegates from all 13 colonies
Agreed to create a Continental Army
Appointed George Washington as supreme commander
Authorized the printing of $$
Committee to conduct relations with foreign nations

4. Road to Independence Olive Branch Petition July 1775
direct petition to King George III
wanted peaceful resolution and declared loyalty to Great Britain

5. Road to Independence Did the Olive Branch Petition work? NO.
George III declared the colonies in state of rebellion
began hiring Hessian soldiers (from Germany) to bring colonies under control

6. Road to Independence Thomas Paine
He was English, new to the colonies as of 1774
Argued for colonial independence
Published the pamphlet Common Sense

7. Road to Independence Common Sense argued two main points:
Independence from Great Britain
Creation of a democratic republic
wrote in straightforward language
everyone could read it
used language/imagery of the Bible… why?
sold 120,000 copies in the spring of 1776 (think the Harry Potter of colonial times)

8. Road to Independence Declaration of Independence
adopted on July 4, 1776
Committee of 5 men to write the document
Mostly written by Thomas Jefferson
Why did it need to be well written and convincing?
Colonies are now in full rebellion
what would happen to authors and signers if revolution failed?

10. Painting done in 1817

12. Revolutionary War Patriots vs. Loyalists
patriots: supported independence
loyalists: loyal to Great Britain
~20% Loyal to GB
~20% Strong Patriots
~60% Undecided
Americans are much more successful at convincing people of their cause

13. Drafting the Declaration of Independence Webquest