1. Declaring Independence

2. Thomas Paine
He believed that the problems with Britain could not be solved.
He wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense.
His idea was that the colonists should rule themselves.

3. What does “independence” mean?
Means freedom to govern one’s self

4. Second Continental Congress
The congress began to talk about it.
John Adams was very much for it
He believed it was the only way for the colonists to have liberty.
June 16, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee called for a resolution of independence

5. The Writing A committee was formed to write the declaration.
Thomas Jefferson from Virginia was asked to write the first draft.
Jefferson is seen as the main author .
Others did share their ideas.

6. The Declaration of Independence
17 days to write the document.
Jefferson wrote and then RE-wrote the Declaration of Independence.
He carefully planned what he wanted it to say.

7. The Declaration of Independence
The preamble is the first part
This part tells WHY they had to break away from Britain
The next part tells about the colonists main ideas about government
Certain rights that the government CANNOT take away.
Life, liberty (freedom) and pursuit of happiness

8. The Declaration of Independence
The longest part is a list of grievances (complaints against King George III and Parliament)
Here they list the ways they tried to settle the differences.
The last section Jefferson writes that the colonies are free and independent states.

9. Congress Approves!
June 28, 1776 the declaration is read to the delegates.
They talk about it for several days and make changes.
July 2, 1776 they vote on it.

10. July 4, 1776
On this date they to accept the Declaration of Independence.
On July 8th, it is read to a large crowd outside the Pennsylvania State House.
On Aug. 2, 1776 it is signed by the members.
John Hancock was the first to sign n a LARGE BOLD signature
He did it so the King could see it in England

13. Danger! It was dangerous to sign the declaration.
The King wanted to end the rebellion.
If they lost the war, the signers would be tried for treason.
The punishment would be death.

14. Forming a New Government
The 2nd Continental Congress set up a committee to work on uniting the 13 colonies.
Articles of Confederation was written
Each state had one vote in Congress
Weak
Most of the power was with the states
9 out of 13 had to agree on a law
Didn’t have the power to enforce the laws it made

15. Articles of Confederation
What they could do
Declare war
Make treaties
Borrow money
What they could NOT do
Control trade
Collect taxes (so how would they pay for the war?)
Could ASK the states for money
It made the Congress depend on the states for the nation’s defense
Could ask for an army, but the states didn’t have to send soldiers to the army.

16. Comparing the Armies – Continental Army
General George Washington was the commander of the Army
Soldiers didn’t have uniforms
Many didn’t have guns – carried spears and axes
Many were farmers who enlisted to fight
Most did not have military training
Keeping the army fed and clothed was difficult
Congress couldn’t raise enough money to buy everything they needed

17. Comparing the Armies The British Army
Strongest army in the world
Had experienced soldiers
50,000 in the colonies
Had hired soldiers (the Hessians)
But it was hard to supply them since they were 3,000 miles from Great Britain

18. Battle of Trenton Many of the colonial soldiers were ready to give up.
Battles not going well
Hungry and didn’t have proper clothing
Wanted to go home
Washington came up with a plan to attack the Hessians (German soldiers hired by Great Britain)

19. Battle of Trenton December 25, 1776
The Patriots rowed across the Delaware River and THEN marched 9 miles to Trenton
The Hessians were sleeping
The battle lasted only an hour when the Hessians surrendered.

20. Valley Forge The British had captured Philadelphia
Planned to stay there during the winter
It was comfortable there

21. Valley Forge The Continental Army moved to Valley Forge, PA
Washington wanted to keep and eye on the British
The army was tired and ragged
Congress had no money to buy supplies
Washington’s headquarters

22. Valley Forge Most soldiers clothes were in rags & shoes falling apart
Food supplies were low
But help was on it’s way
A soldier’s home during the Winter at Valley Forge

23. Valley Forge Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben Was a German soldier
Taught the Americans how to march and fight
Helped the army gain confidence

24. Valley Forge Marquis de Lafayette Was just 20 years old
Came from France to joint the Continental Army
He spent his own money to help the soldiers
Warm clothes and food

25. Others begin to help Benjamin Franklin when to France
He was negotiating with the French government
Asking for supplies and French soldiers to help
Franklin argued that France would benefit by helping the new nation beat Britain
After the Battle of Saratoga, the French agreed to help

26. Bibliography
Thomas Paine (slide 2)
Thomas Jefferson (slide 5)
Declaration of Independence (Curry) [New York] : N. Currier, [between 1835 and 1856]
Washington Crossing the Delaware (slide 17)
Von Steuben (slice 21)