2. Although the fighting had already begun, what measure was taken by the Second Continental Congress in an attempt to make amends with Britain? OLIVE BRANCH PETITION King George’s rejection of the Olive Branch Petition convinced many that separation from the mother country was just a matter of time. A pamphlet published on January 9, 1776 and written, according to the title page, “by an Englishman,” finally crystallized and galvanized popular opinion in favor of complete and immediate independence.

3. ____________ published a 47-page pamphlet titled _____________ that made the argument for independence more simply, thoroughly, and persuasively than any document before it. Thomas Paine Common Sense

4. two central themes The document contained two central themes: 1.__________ government was inherently superior to a _________ – ________ (def): A government in which supreme power resides in a body of _______ entitled to _____ and exercised by _______ representatives. 2.______ and the ________ of ______ were the birthright of all _________, which no government could fail to defend. Republican monarchy Republic citizensvote elected equalityrightsLiberty humanity

5. Paine transformed a quarrel between the colonies and the mother country not only into an international event, but into an event of central importance to all mankind. In less than 3 months, 120,000 copies of Common Sense were sold (at 2 shillings each). Over half a million copies were distributed by the end of the Revolution. Until the publication of Common Sense, the colonies were deeply divided on the question of independence.

6. _________________ of Virginia presented a draft proposal to the Continental Congress a draft proposal of a resolution that asserted “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, _____and ____________ States.” Richard Henry Lee freeindependent

7. The debate in Congress got underway on July 1. Pennsylvania’s Dickson wanted to delay, whereas John Adams and Richard Henry Lee urged immediate action. South Carolina and Pennsylvania voted against independence—the Delaware delegation was divided and New York (reorganizing its government) abstained. The vote, at that time, stood at 9-4 in favor of independence. Not content with a less than overwhelming majority, the radicals of Delaware dispatched Caesar Rodney on a Paul Revere-ish midnight ride from Dover to Philadelphia. Breathless after his 80-mile gallop, Rodney arrived in time to swing the Delaware vote to independence (Rodney quarter…) At this, South Carolina’s delegation was moved to favor independence, as did Pennsylvania. New York again abstained, but the majority, on July 2, was indeed overwhelming.

8. The Colonies were now ready to officially declare themselves independent of Great Britain. The __________ of _____________, authored by _______________, was the document issued by the Second Continental Congress on ___________ to Great Britain that explained why the colonies were seeking their independence. DeclarationIndependence Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776

9. For 2 days, Congress debated Jefferson’s draft, making changes and deletions that Jefferson found painful. What emerged has withstood the test of time: Pass out Declaration “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. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men.”

10. This declaration did more than declare the United States to be an independent nation—it set out many of the basic principles and values of American government: God – That all men (all mankind) are born with certain rights that are given by God and cannot be taken away—and that the sole purpose of government is to protect (secure) those rights. – The power that government does have comes only from the people—and the people have the right to change oppressive governments or form new ones when necessary.

11. This last idea should be looked at carefully: Although the Declaration affirms the right of the people to change governments that do not serve them, it also clearly states that this should not be done without just cause and without taking all measures to remedy the situation without taking this measure. For this reason, over half of the Declaration is devoted to listing the grievances the colonies had against the government of Great Britain and King George III. For over 230 years, freedom-seeking people from all over the world have been inspired by the noble ideas and remarkable eloquence of the Declaration of Independence

12. The Declaration was a practical document with 3 major purposes: 1.An attempt to win ______________ (in America and Europe) for American independence through the _________ and in the ___ given reasons for separation from Great Britain. King George III was depicted as an evil ruler who intended to establish an absolute tyranny over the colonies. Each grievance pictured King George III as a harsh tyrant: “He has forbidden…He has plundered…He has constrained…” In contrast, the colonies were depicted as patient, submissive, longsuffering citizens: “…We have petitioned…We have warned…We have reminded…We have appealed…” public support 27preamble

13. 2.To outline a new theory of government: – That all people are born with God-given rights and the purpose of government is to secure those rights.  Jefferson’s ideas and beliefs about government came from 2 major sources: 1.___________ theories of “natural rights” 2.Colonists’ won experiences in _______________ The Declaration was an invitation to all peoples, in all times, to assume the right to rule themselves and to rid themselves forever of the tyranny of unwanted or oppressive rulers. John Locke’s self-government

14. 3. A formal __________ of ____ against Great Britain The words in which the delegates pledged “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” to the successful outcome of the war were not just idle words meant to add flair to the document. The delegates who signed the document must have done so with a deep sense of anxiety. They were pledging everything to the cause— failure in the effort would mean ruin and certain death. declarationwar

15. THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION

16. Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Have you ever considered what was at stake as they penned their signatures to the bottom of that declaration? THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION

17. Five signers were captured by the British, charged as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

18. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

19. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

20. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

21. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

22. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."