1. Road to Revolution Part II
From 1st Continental Congress to Declaration of Independence
CH 6
Sections 3-4

3. The First Continental Congress
What?= Meeting of delegates or representatives of the American colonies
When? 1774
Where? Philadelphia
Why? Discuss ways to respond to the conflicts with England/ British threat – Intolerable Acts

4. The First Continental Congress
A congress is a formal meeting at which delegates/representatives discussed matters of concern
The First Continental Congress lasted 7 weeks

5. The First Continental Congress
What do they decided during this meeting/ Plan of action…
They sent a letter to the king stating:
Petition – asking King to have their rights back
Boycott- not buying British goods
Militia - Creation of a militia
troop of volunteers
( minutemen) to defend themselves

6. The First Continental Congress
Kings reaction = The king refused to meet their demand and decided to use force
In 1775 there were two battles at Lexington and Concord – The war has begun!
More and more people were talking about independence.

7. Fighting begins – Lexington & Concord
1775 fighting broke out between American colonies & Great Britain
British troops to Lexington & Concord
( Massachusetts)
Hidden guns & weapons
“First shoot heard around the world”
Paul Revere &
The midnight ride
“ The British are
coming”

8. American Revolutionary War
Who? American colonies Vs. England ( mother land)
When?
What? War for independence
Why? Colonists thought that they were not being treated fairly, and their rights were not being protected, so they rebelled and fought for their right to create a new & independent government.
( social contract & Rousseau’s warning)
Why? Colonist were not happy with the British government

9. The Push for Independence
Independence means self reliance and freedom from outside control; self government
Dependent
Independent
Interdependent

10. The Push for Independence Second Continental Congress
War still going…
Representatives met in Philadelphia in 1775
Second Continental Congress
Thinking about independence…
Not everyone thought it was a good idea.
Why??? – colonists were divided

11. Colonists were divided
Colonists were hoping to avoid war…
They were British citizens, most wanted to resolved the situation
Colonists divided into 2 groups ( in favor or against Independence)
Patriots V. Loyalists
Patriots = colonists who wanted independence (favor of independence)
Loyalists= colonists who were loyal to the King & to England ( against independence)

12. Patriots Vs. Loyalists For Independence Against Independence
Blood has been spilled
Wanted new kind of government
Felt British
Loyal to the King

13. Common Sense Colonists were divided ( loyalists V patriots)
Beginning 1776
Most colonists wanted to avoid break with Britain
Common Sense – Pamphlet
By Thomas Paine
Propaganda supporting Independence
Sold more than 100,000 copies
King as a tyrant – Parliament does not work alone/ without consent of King
Helped convince many Americans that they need independence from England

14. Second Continental Congress
The Congress decided in favor of independence.
A committee was formed to create a document that would announce our independence.

15. Declaration of Independence

16. The Declaration of Independence
Committee of 5 delegates
Main author was: Thomas Jefferson
It said all Americans had the right to be independent.

17. The Declaration of Independence & The Enlightenment
Not al the ideas came from Jefferson.
Enlightenment ideas
“ all man are created equal”, they are endowed by their creator by unalienable rights”( Life, liberty & pursuit of happiness)

18. The Declaration of Independence Social Contract
The Declaration of Independence argued that the British government did not look after the interests of the colonies nor protect their rights.
For this reason, the British government was no longer the rightful government.

19. Declaration of Independence
What? Document drafted by Continental Congress
Who? Thomas Jefferson – committee-
When? July 1776
Why? To explain the reasons why the colonies decided to declare independence from Britain & summarize their ideas about government
The document has 4 parts:
Preamble :Introduction - explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration.
Declaration of Rights: states that people have certain basic rights and that government should protect those rights. ( Enlightenment ideas)
List of Grievances: colonies complaints against England & the King
Resolution of Independence: declares that the colonies are “Free and Independent States”

20. The Declaration of Independence
Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The colonies were independent in theory.
The war with Great Britain continue…

21. Process – Declaration of Independence
Read the Declaration of Independence ( Page ) 1) Find as many passages/thoughts as you can that refer to Enlightenment thinker's philosophical views. (Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau) 2) List several grievances the colonists have with England as written in the Declaration of Independence.
3) Decide what was the worst (most valid) grievance. Tell what it is and why you chose it as the worst. Give at least three reasons your grievance is the worst, and compare it to at least one other grievance.