1. Declaring Independence
Chapter 6, Section 4

2. Ethan Allen – leader of the Green Mountain Boys; helped capture Fort Ticonderoga
Artillery – a cannon or large gun
Second Continental Congress – a governing body whose delegates agreed, in May 1775, to form the Continental Army and to approve the Declaration of Independence
Continental Army – a colonial force authorized by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, with George Washington as its commanding general
Benedict Arnold – officer in the Continental Army; he helped colonists win at Fort Ticonderoga, but failed at Quebec
Declaration of Independence – the document, written in 1776, in which the colonies declared independence from Britain
Thomas Jefferson – wrote the Declaration of Independence
Key terms

3. These questions will help you see art as a source of information.
1. Look at the picture (also on page 177). Based on the artist’s view, who do you think won the Battle of Bunker Hill?
2. What information about both armies can you learn from studying the painting?
Bell ringer

4. How did the American Revolution begin?
The battles of Lexington and Concord hardened the resolve of both the colonists and the British.
Both sides believed their cause was just. Both sides hoped the other would give in quickly. But both sides prepared for war.

5. Lexington
and
Concord
The battles between the colonists and British troops sent shock waves throughout the colonies.
Colonial leaders held the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in May 1775 to discuss the crisis.

6. The Congress took quick action to meet an immediate need—defense.
The delegates established the Continental army and chose George Washington as its leader.
Congress decided to pay for the army by printing paper money, an important power of government.

7. The Continental army is formed
1. For what reasons did General Gage move his troops to Boston after the battles at Lexington and Concord?
Boston was nearly surrounded by water.
He thought this made a colonial attack by land almost impossible
2. What did the Second Continental Congress accomplish?
Agreed to form the Continental Army
George Washington chosen commanding general
Authorized the printing of paper money to pay troops
The Continental army is formed

8. In Boston, Americans clashed with British troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775.
The Americans held Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. From there, they could shoot at British ships in the harbor.
British troops marched up the hill, determined to capture the high ground.

9. No one knew how the untrained American volunteers would hold up against the tough British soldiers.
But the Americans held off two attacks, losing a third only after running out of ammunition.
The British won the battle, but lost many troops.

10. The battle of bunker hill
3. Why was the Battle of Bunker Hill considered an important one for the colonists?
The inexperienced colonial militia had held its own against the world’s most powerful army
The British won, but more than 1,000 redcoats were killed or wounded
Colonial militia lost 400
The battle of bunker hill

11. The delegates were divided, however, about what actions to take next.
Some delegates
wanted to cut
ties with Britain
and declare
independence.
Others still
hoped to
compromise
and make
peace.

12. These early divisions among the delegates reflected the divisions among the colonists themselves.
Patriots
Favored
independence
and were
willing to
fight for it
Loyalists
Remained
loyal to
Britain
and
the king

13. As many as one third of the colonists were Loyalists.
often
included:
people from wealthy families
government officials
enslaved African Americans
Native Americans
Most colonists, however, were Patriots.

14. Yet even Patriot leaders could not agree on the best way to deal with the crisis. Congress extended an “olive branch” to the king in July 1775.
Olive Branch
Petition
Stated the colonists were loyal
to the king and wanted to reach
a peaceful settlement

15. 4. What was the purpose and outcome of the Olive Branch Petition?
Asked the King to restore harmony between Britain and the colonies
King rejected it and further punished the colonists
5. Why did King George reject the petition?
He was not used to having his authority questioned.
He felt he had a right to demand obedience
A last attempt at peace

16. Causes and Necessities
That same month Congress also issued a warning.
Declaration of the
Causes and Necessities
of Taking Up Arms
Stated the colonists
were ready to die
for their cause

17. King George III ignored the Olive Branch Petition and declared that the colonies were in open rebellion.
Parliament voted to send 20,000 troops to the colonies to end the uprising.

18. The Americans won an important early victory at Fort Ticonderoga, where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys surprised the British and captured the fort.
Fort
Ticonderoga
gave the
Americans
control over a route to Canada
cannons and other weapons

19. Washington sent for the cannons that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga.
After a difficult journey the cannons arrived, and Washington was finally able to drive the British from Boston.

20. Despite these early American victories, the British still held many advantages.
They controlled the most powerful navy in the world.
They hired mercenaries to help fight.
After a failed invasion of Canada, the Americans knew they were facing a long and difficult struggle.

21. The british retreat from boston
6. What was the purpose and outcome of the colonial attack on Quebec? On Boston?
Quebec – They hoped to defeat the British and get Canadians on their side. It failed.
Boston – Continental Army surrounded Boston and threatened to bombard the city with cannon fire. The British withdrew.
7. Why did so many Loyalists flee Boston with the British?
The Anti-British feeling in Boston was so strong that Loyalists feared for their safety.
Loyalist property and homes were seized
8. Did the Loyalists deserve punishment?
Punishment was fair b/c colonists viewed Loyalists as traitors
Punishment wasn’t fair b/c they should have been allowed to express their opinions and keep their possessions
The british retreat from boston

22. Why did many colonists favor declaring independence?
By 1776, tension filled the colonies. The king had declared the colonists to be in open rebellion. Battles had been fought, and soldiers had died.
Still, the path ahead was not clear. Though blood had been shed, many colonists still hoped for peace.

23. As 1776 began, most colonists were neither Patriots nor Loyalists
As 1776 began, most colonists were neither Patriots nor Loyalists. They were in the middle, torn about what to do.
Patriots
Loyalists
Undecided

24. That soon began to change
That soon began to change. In January 1776, a colonist named Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet that received wide attention.

25. In Common Sense, Paine made powerful arguments in favor of independence.
George III
is a
“royal
brute.”
Kings
should not
rule over
people.
Americans
should
govern
themselves.

26. Common Sense became a bestseller, and public opinion began to shift.
More colonists began to favor independence. So, too, did their representatives in the Second Continental Congress.
Number of
colonists
favoring
independence

27. Common sense is published
9. What points does Thomas Paine make in Common Sense?
Monarchies are corrupt
America should follow its own destiny
He disagreed with economic arguments for remaining with Britain
10. What impact did Paine’s pamphlet have on the colonies?
It was an instant success
Helped convince many Americans that a complete break with Britain was necessary
Common sense is published

28. In May, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution declaring that the colonies should be free and independent states.
Congress formed a committee to write a statement explaining the reasons for independence.
The statement would be presented to Congress, then the question of independence would be put to a vote.

29. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson were appointed to the committee.
Jefferson wrote most of the document, which would become the Declaration of Independence.

30. 11. Why did colonial leaders choose Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence?
He was an excellent writer
He was from Virginia – members knew that no independence movement could succeed without Virginia’s support
12. What is the core idea of the Declaration of Independence?
The idea of natural rights
People have basic rights that governments cannot and should not take away
A time of decision

31. The Declaration of Independence begins has four parts, beginning with a preamble.
Natural Rights
List of Grievances
Resolution
of Independence
The preamble states the reason for writing the document—to explain why the colonists were breaking ties with Britain.

32. Governments are created to protect those rights.
To begin the explanation, Jefferson declared that everyone has unalienable rights.
Preamble
Declaration of
Natural Rights
List of Grievances
Resolution
of Independence
Governments are created to protect those rights.
If a government violates those rights, the people must change their government.

33. taxed without their consent
The British government, Jefferson argued, had violated the colonists’ rights.
Preamble
Declaration of
Natural Rights
List of Grievances
Resolution
of Independence
To prove this, he presented a long list of grievances, including that the colonists were:
denied trial by jury
taxed without their consent

34. Therefore, Jefferson concluded, the colonies are free and independent states.
Preamble
Declaration of
Natural Rights
List of Grievances
Resolution
of Independence
All ties between the colonies and the British government are now dissolved.

35. The declaration is adopted
13. When does the Declaration say it is right to overthrow an established government?
When it disregards their rights
14. Which parts of the population does the Declaration neglect?
Women
Enslaved persons
Native Americans
Jefferson wrote “all men are created equal” but only meant free, white men
The declaration is adopted

36. The Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress on July 4, 1776.

37. Americans still celebrate July 4th as Independence Day.
Today, the Declaration of Independence remains a source of inspiration for Americans and for people around the world.

38. For Americans in 1776, however, declaring independence was a serious and frightening step.
The colonists were challenging one of the most powerful nations in the world—and risking their lives.
The way ahead was dangerous, but there was no turning back. Americans were now fighting to create their own nation.