1. The separation from Great Britain – Our first government

2. The First Continental Congress
September, 1774
Philadelphia
Representatives from the colonies meet
They discuss the problems with Great Britain

3. The First Continental Congress
They wrote a Declaration of Rights
Colonies have the right to self-government
Right to decide their own taxes
Right to manage their own affairs (situations)
They said Parliament had no right to pass laws on the colonies that were about taxes

4. The First Continental Congress
They wrote a petition to King George III
Asked to stop all Parliaments mistakes
If Parliament did not stop the taxes, the colonies would not buy or sell British goods

5. Great Britain’s response
Parliament and King George III did not change anything
Great Britain sent more troops (army) to the colonies
Colonists – not happy

6. The Second Continental Congress
May 1775
Philadelphia
All 13 colonies knew war was coming
Decided to make an army for the colonies
Picked George
Washington to lead
the army

7. The Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Thomas Jefferson wrote The
Declaration of Independence
Declared the colonies free and
separate from Great Britain
The Second Continental Congress became the first government of the United States of America

8. Britain’s Response… Said the Congress was an “unlawful assembly”
Called the group a “den of traitors”

9. What did the colonists do?
They kept the Continental Congress
Each state had one vote
Congress made the laws for the new nation
Made sure the laws were followed
No one leader
Led the war for 5 years
Made the army
Made money
Made contracts with other countries