1. Thinking Questions
“I have heard it asserted by some, that as America has flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect. Nothing can be more fallacious than this kind of argument. We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk…”
From, Common Sense, by Thomas Paine (1776)
1) What type of argument is Paine employing in this selection?
2) Do you find this argument persuasive? Why or why not?
3) How would you attack this argument, if you were inclined (or assigned) to do so?

2. Class #4, Week of November 12
United States History
Class #4, Week of November 12

3. The War for Independence Begins

4. The First Battles: Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775
April 19, 1775—British troops march out of Boston, to capture a colonial arsenal in Concord, Mass.
The Colonial militia was alerted to the action, and assembled to stop the British advance
Skirmishes occurred at Lexington and Concord
The British destroyed the colonial arsenal, but were forced to retreat from Concord by 4000 colonial militia, and were harassed the entire way back to Boston
It’s On!

5. American Militiaman What observations can you make about this soldier?
What advantages did the Americans probably have?
What disadvantages did the Americans probably have?

6. British Army Soldier
What observations can you make about this soldier?
What advantages did the British probably have?
What disadvantages did the British probably have?

7. Who had the advantage? British Advantages American Advantages
Experienced, professional soldiers
Naval Dominance
Financial Advantage
“Home Turf” Advantage
Excellent Leadership (General Washington Francis Marion (The “Swamp Fox”), etc.)
Guerilla Tactics
Alliance with France
Motivation of common soldiers

8. Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775) – British army pushes colonists off the heights outside of Boston
But the colonists prove they can fight:
British: casualties
Americans: 400 casualties

9. Liberation of Boston (March 17, 1776)
The Green Mountain Boys brought canons from Ft. Ticonderoga
The British position was now untenable, so they evacuate Boston and move temporarily to Canada
New England is now essentially free from British occupation and authority; for all intents and purposes, Yankeedom has won its independence

10. Battle of New York (July – September 1776)
British army moves from Boston to New York; Washington and the Continental Army pursue
British win a string of victories and force the Americans to retreat through New Jersey

11. The Road to Independence

12. Common Sense (1776)
Pamphlet published by Thomas Paine in early 1776; made the argument for independence
Swayed the opinion of many common people

13. The Second Continental Congress
Began meeting shortly after the battles at Lexington and Concord
Debated a declaration of independence;
June 7, 1776: Richard Henry Lee of Virginia offers an independence resolution

14. Declaring Independence
July 2
July 4
Declaring Independence
Congress assigned a committee to draft a Declaration
The committee members chose Thomas Jefferson to be the primary author
July 2: Lee’s independence resolution is voted on and approved
July 4: The Declaration of Independence is approved and published

15. 2) Would you have volunteered to fight for it?
Discussion Questions
1) As an American colonist in 1776, would you have supported independence from Great Britain?
2) Would you have volunteered to fight for it?