1. The Declaration of Independence
Adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
In Georgia~ Gov. Wright ousted & colony comes under patriot rule.
Three Georgians attend Second Continental Congress & sign Declaration: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, & George Walton

2. Part One: Preamble: explains the natural rights of people
Describes what one deserves in a relationship
establishes reason for the document
Famous Quote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
School House Rock No More Kings!

3. Lists all of the grievances against King George III, including:
Imposing taxes without our consent
Quartering large bodies of troops in times of peace
Part Two:
You’ve been a big jerk.

4. Part Three: Actually declares independence from the mother country.
The Declaration declared that the colonies were free from British rule and were now 13 separate, independent countries!

5. Georgia’s Representatives
Three Georgia representatives signed the Declaration on behalf of the Georgia Colony: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton

6. Something to think about
The patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence, including the THREE Georgia signers, put their lives on the line. Their signing of the document made them officially guilty of treason. Had Britain won the war, these men would more than likely have been executed as traitors to their country.

7. Button Gwinnett
1765 Arrived in Georgia and bought St. Catherine’s Island
1769 became involved in politics, but withdrew in 1773 due to financial problems
1776 selected to attend the Continental Congress. Signed Declaration
Instrumental in the creation of the Georgia Constitution of 1777.

8. Rivalry Turns Deadly Died in a duel
He became a political rival of Lachlan McIntosh who publically criticized and challenged him to a duel.
The duel took place in May 1777 where both men shot each other.
On May 19, 1777, Gwinnett died of his wounds.
Gwinnett County is named for him

9. Lyman Hall Born in Wallingford, Connecticut: graduated from Yale
Became an ordained minister in 1747, but switched to practicing medicine after several controversies.
1760- Moved to Georgia
1775- He was the first Georgian to arrive at the Second Continental Congress. He participated in debates, but did not vote because he did not represent the whole state
1776- Walton and Gwinnett joined him and they voted for independence and signed the Declaration.
1783- Elected Governor of Georgia
Instrumental in the founding of the University of Georgia.
Hall County was named after him.

10. George Walton Most politically successful of the three Ga signers
Born in Virginia and moved to Georgia in 1769.
Established himself as one of the most successful lawyers in the colony.
1776- Appointed as a representative at the Second Continental Congress where he signed the Declaration
Served in the Georgia militia; captured by the British.
After a prison exchange, he was released and elected as Governor of Georgia, but he was elected to Congress after two months.
After the war, he served as Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court
1789- served a second term as governor, then U.S. Senator, and finally a superior court judge.
Died February 2, 1804.
Walton County is named in his honor AND ___?
George Walton