1. The Declaration of Independence
Chapter 6
The Declaration of Independence

2. 6.2 – The War Begins George Washington and the Continental Army
Congress created the Continental Army composed of troops from all colonies.
John Adams nominated George Washington, a Virginian who was highly skilled and respected
Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the new Continental Army.

4. The Battle of Bunker Hill
The battle was short but bloody.
The British defeated the colonists only after the colonists ran out of gunpowder.
The fierce fighting proved that the British would not easily defeat the colonists.

6. 6.3 – The Siege of Boston Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga was an old British fort located in New York. Colonists seized the fort because it had cannons they needed.
Colonist took the 59 cannons and 2,300 pounds of lead for bullets from the fort and dragged them 300 MILES ON SLEDS to Boston where they were needed.

7. The British Abandon Boston
During the night, the colonists placed the cannons on the ridges surrounding the city.
The British knew they were outnumbered. General Howe abandoned the city of Boston.
Over 1,000 loyalists left with the British troops, preferring to abandon their homes over living with rebels
The war had only just begun.

10. 6.4 – Toward Independence The Olive Branch Petition
Congress sent a petition to King George III asking him to end the quarrel.
The King refused and declared the colonies to be in rebellion and that he must “bring the traitors to justice”.

11. Common Sense
Thomas Paine was a Patriot that published a pamphlet titled Common Sense.
The pamphlet stated that the colonies needed independence from British tyranny.

12. 6.5 – Thomas Jefferson Drafts a Declaration
A committee was established to write a declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson of Virginia would be elected to draft the declaration.

14. Natural Rights
Jefferson’s argument in the declaration was that all people are born with natural rights.
He stated that if a government fails to protect people’s rights, it is the right of the people to change or abolish it.

16. The King’s Crimes
The declaration included a list of the King’s abuses against the colonies. The list was intended to show that King George III was an unfit ruler.
The declaration concluded that the colonies ties to Britain were broken and they were “to be free and independent states”.

18. 6.6 – The Final Break
The delegates met at the Second Continental Congress on July 1, 1776 to debate independence. On July 2, 1776 all but two colonies voted for independence.
Debate over slavery
The delegates disagreed on a passage included regarding the opposition of slavery. The passage was removed to end the argument.

20. Independence Day
On July 4, 1776 the delegates approved the final version of the Declaration of Independence.

22. Political Cartoons