1. Calling for Independence
Objective
Describe the Biblical arguments patriots made for independence
1774
The first Continental Congress convenes. It agrees to meet again if problems with Britain continue.
1. What does the 2nd Continental Congress do to bring about peace?
1775
Clashes between British soldiers and American minutemen at Lexington and Concord result in the loss of life.
2. What does the continental Congress do to prepare for war?
Since problems with the British intensify, the Second Continental Congress meets.
3. What are the main ideas of Common Sense?
Fighting between the British and the colonists increases.
4. What is the purpose of a formal declaration of independence?
1776
Thomas Paine publishes his Common Sense pamphlet.
With the increase of fighting between Britain and the colonies, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence.
5. What are the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence?
Calling for Independence
Draw a timeline below the chart

2. Calling for Independence
1. Olive Branch Petition
A appeal to King George III to resolve the disagreement between Parliament and the colonies
Calling for Independence
King George rejects
Formally declares the colonies to be in rebellion
Institutes a naval blockade

3. Calling for Independence
2. George Washington
The Second Continental Congress appoints George Washington as Commander of the Continental Armies.
Calling for Independence
Military threat existed
Print money to pay for supplies
Create a committee to conduct business with foreign governments
What do you need to be a “country?”
land
government
population
recognition

4. Calling for Independence
3. Common Sense
Four Themes
Calling for Independence
Government is a necessary evil
Society vs. Government
Hereditary monarchy is evil, born out of sinfulness
Hereditary monarchy is a poor government
The colonies are in a less than desirable state
Conclusion: declare independence and create a national representative government of their own
The colonies have the ability to declare independence

5. Calling for Independence
3. American Crisis
To gather support for the Continental Army from the civilian population
Calling for Independence
Tortured
Publicly executed
Supported independence
Patriots
Imprisoned
Robbed
humiliated
Remained loyal to England
Loyalists / Tories

6. Calling for Independence
4. Declaration of Independence
Dismissed colonial assemblies when they defended the rights of colonists
Calling for Independence
If the colonists have any hope of winning against the British they will need foreign support
Kept a standing army in peacetime without colonial consent
Imposed taxes without colonial consent
He shot at his own subjects (Lexington/Concord)
What do you need to be a “country?”
land
government
population
recognition

7. Calling for Independence
5. Declaration of Independence
Discusses the natural rights that all men have – rights given by God
Calling for Independence
States that the people have a right to overthrow a government that fails to protect their rights
List specific grievances to prove the King George is no longer protecting the rights of the English colonists
States that the colonies are no longer under British rule but under their own self-governing government

8. First Continental Congress Second Continental Congress
Olive Branch Petition
Common Sense
1775
1776
Declaration of Independence adopted
William Dawes and Paul Revere Ride
Lexington and Concord
Battle of Bunker Hill
Ride: warn militia that the redcoats are on the march (John Hancock and Samuel Adams)
Insignificant battle militarily but gave the colonists confidence that they could stand up to the mighty British Army.

10. Jefferson’s Desk Picture
Someone at the 2nd Continental Congress with Jefferson (label)
Calendar – important date
When did he write the Declaration of Independence
Time period communication
To someone on the Committee in charge of the Declaration
Book
Written by a philosopher that influenced the writing of the Declaration
Written Document
A document that Jefferson wrote (or was working on)
Memento