1. Declaration of Independence

2. Warm Up Liberty Rhetoric
Choose a quote from the liberty rhetoric page.
Write a paragraph or so about your thoughts on it and the American Revolution.

3. Second Continental Congress
Recognized the militia men around Boston as the Continental Army
Appointed George Washington as commander
Authorized printing of paper money to pay troops; organized a committee to deal with foreign nations

4. Olive Branch Petition
Readying colonies for war, while still hoping for peace
July 8, 1775—Second Continental Congress sent the king the Olive Branch Petition.
Urging a return to “the former harmony” between Britain and the colonies
Rejected by King George; he issued a proclamation stating the colonies were in rebellion and urged Parliament to order a naval blockade of the American coast.

5. Common Sense 50-page pamphlet; Thomas Paine attacked King George III.
Paine declared colonists should proclaim an independent republic.
Argued that independence was America’s destiny; would be able to create a better society free from tyranny and equal social/economic opportunities for all.
Sold 500,000 copies

6. Declaring Independence
Committee led by Thomas Jefferson asked to prepare a formal declaration, explaining reasons for the colonies actions.
July 2, 1776—the delegates voted unanimously that the American colonies were free.
July 4th, 1776, they adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Read to a crowd in front of the Philadelphia State House (now Independence Hall)

7. Declaration of Independence Clarifications
“all men are created equal”—not meant to embrace women, Native Americans, and African-American slaves
First draft included an attack on the cruelty of slave trade; South Carolina and Georgia objected; in order to gain their votes the section was dropped

9. American Choose Sides
Loyalists-those who opposed independence and remained loyal to the Crown
Reasons to stay loyal—thought British were going to win the war; avoid punishment as rebels. Thought the crown would protect their rights better than new government.
Patriots-supporters of independence
Reasons for independence—economic opportunity in independent America. Embraced farmers, artisans, merchants, land owners, elected officials
Patriots made up half of the population; most Americans remained neutral.

10. You will be reading the Declaration of Independence using CLOSE reading strategies.