1. Declaration of Independence

2. WHY??? Lexington & Concord Lexington is the shot heard around the world. Lexington is the shot heard around the world. This is the beginning of a different form of government Concord and Lexington are battles fought by state militia Concord and Lexington are battles fought by state militia Patrick Henry Patrick Henry “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery” what Patrick Henry is saying: he wants us to ask if trying to get the king to listen is worth it should we have courage to start over. what Patrick Henry is saying: he wants us to ask if trying to get the king to listen is worth it should we have courage to start over.

3. Second Continental Congress Twelve colonies attend Twelve colonies attend Georgia does not come at first they depend on England for trade. They are a royal colony and are the youngest colony. Georgia does not come at first they depend on England for trade. They are a royal colony and are the youngest colony.

4. Delegates Those that attended were Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) and Patrick Henry Those that attended were Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) and Patrick Henry Continental Army – George Washington was made commander to organize the state militias Olive Branch petition – last effort to get a compromise No turning back- once the king rejects the compromise we must move forward in starting a new government

5. Thomas Paine Thomas Paine “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” He wrote “common Sense” which tried to get the colonies to change their conditions. We can recreate the government of Rome and Greece. He wrote “common Sense” which tried to get the colonies to change their conditions. We can recreate the government of Rome and Greece.

6. Colonies adopt constitutions If we are going to be fighting the king we need to make sure we have a government that could function so we avoid anarchy. If we are going to be fighting the king we need to make sure we have a government that could function so we avoid anarchy. “the exercise of every kind of authority under the said crown should be totally suppressed.” They wanted all the colonies not to refer to the king in any way in the new constitutions. They wanted all the colonies not to refer to the king in any way in the new constitutions.

7. Richard Henry Lee Richard Henry Lee June 7, 1776 – He made a motion for the colonies to actual declare independence from the king and start a new government. June 7, 1776 – He made a motion for the colonies to actual declare independence from the king and start a new government. Writing of Declaration – a committee is formed to write the declaration. John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson Writing of Declaration – a committee is formed to write the declaration. John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson July 2, 1776 – actually approved the declaration Signed July 4, 1776 – all members signed John Hancock (president of the congress) signed large enough for the king to read without his glasses John Hancock (president of the congress) signed large enough for the king to read without his glasses

8. Parts of Declaration Parts of Declaration opening – justifies opening – justifies Declaration of rights Declaration of rights Grievances (King & Parliament Grievances (King & Parliament Statement of Independence Statement of Independence

9. Signers all 13 colonies all 13 colonies All delegates consequences consequences This was an act of Treason cost death This was an act of Treason cost death