1. Title: Declaring Independence Essential Question: What people and events contributed to the Second Continental Congress declaring independence?

2.  Second Continental Congress  Meeting of delegates from all 13 colonies in Philadelphia that began in May 1775 Independence Hall

3.  Important delegates:  John Hancock of Massachusetts  President of the Second Continental Congress  First and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence

4.  John Adams of Massachusetts  Made influential speeches  Helped convince delegates to declare independence  “Voice of the Revolution”

5.  Wife = Abigail  Their letters provide detailed descriptions of events of the Revolution 512 pages

6.  Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania  Tried to negotiate a peaceful solution between Britain and the colonies  Became a strong supporter of the Patriot cause

7.  Patrick Henry of Virginia  Early supporter of independence  Famous quotation:  “Give me liberty or give me death!”

8.  Famous quotation:  “Give me liberty or give me death!”  Thomas Jefferson of Virginia  2 nd youngest delegate

9.  George Washington of Virginia  Wealthy plantation owner  Military experience from the French and Indian War

10.  Bunker Hill (June 1775)  Hill that overlooks Boston Harbor  Defended by Minutemen who were low on ammunition

11.  Famous quotation by Colonel William Prescott:  “Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

12.  British victory  Minutemen had to withdraw when they ran out of ammunition

13.  British suffered high casualties  Over 1000 = 1/3 of their forces in Boston  Proved that the colonists could fight

14.  Continental Army  Name of the American army during the Revolutionary War  Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander

15. Henry Knox

16.  Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander  Olive Branch Petition (July 1775)  Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war John Dickinson

17.  Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war  Rejected by the king

18.  Rejected by the King  Thomas Paine  Moved to Philadelphia from England in 1774  Wrote Common Sense (1776)

19.  Influential pamphlet  Encouraged the colonies to declare independence  Written in simple language Statue in his hometown (Thetford, England)

20.  Written in simple language  Independence  Committee of Five  Appointed on June 11, 1776  Job was to draft a formal declaration of independence

21.  Members:  Benjamin Franklin  John Adams  Robert Livingston  Roger Sherman  Thomas Jefferson

22.  Roger Sherman  Thomas Jefferson  Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, 1776  Declaration of Independence  Written by Thomas Jefferson  “Pen of the Revolution”

23.  Written by Thomas Jefferson  “Pen of the Revolution”  Influenced by the ideas of John Locke

24.  Approved on July 4, 1776

25.  Began signing the Declaration on August 2, 1776