1. Moving Toward Independence
5.4
Moving Toward Independence

2. Colonial Leaders Emerge
On May 10th 1775 the 2nd continental congress met
This included John Adams, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, & Patrick Henry

3. Colonial Leaders Emerge
They
Authorize printing of money
Create a post office
Govern the colonies
Create committees to communicate with Native Americans, Spain and France
Creates continental army with George Washington as commander
Sent the Olive Branch Petition offering one last chance at peace
King George refused to even read the petition

4. Colonial Leaders Emerge
The Colonies Take the Offensive
The colonies learn that Britain is about to attack from Canada
They decide to attack first from Fort Ticonderoga and capture Montreal
They failed to capture Quebec
In 1775 Washington decides not to attack Boston because he thought the troops weren’t ready
However, in 1776 he returns and drives the British out of Boston

5. Colonial Leaders Emerge
Moving toward Independence
Most of the colonist want to avoid separating from Great Britain
Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense which became widely popular
It called for an independent country
Many of Paine’s ideas came from John Locke who wrote about natural rights

6. The Colonies Declare Independence
The main discussion at the continental congress was whether or not the colonies should become an independent country
Richard Henry Lee from North Carolina suggested that they become independent
They form a committee to draft a declaration of independence
July 2nd 1776, congress agree to be independent
July 4th, the delegates sign the Declaration of Independence

7. The Colonies Declare Independence
The Declaration of Independence
It has four major parts
The Preamble
this states that if people want to form a new country then you need to explain your reasons
Universal Rights of Men
“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”

8. The Colonies Declare Independence
The Declaration of Independence
It has four major parts
The Governments responsibility is to protect these rights
if the government does not protect these rights the people have the right to change government
they list the grievances of when these rights were violated by the British
d) It announces the existence