1. Moving Towards Independence December 5, 2013

2. Colonies band together to protest Intolerable Acts 1774: 12 colonies send delegates to Philadelphia to discuss concerns (last for 7 weeks) Except Georgia Becomes known as 1 ST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS Goal: Form political body to challenge England – Demand more rights from England King George III responds with force (battles in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts) – 1 st battles of the American Revolution 1775: 2 nd Continental Congress – Some argue INDEPENDENCE – Others argue NO INDEPENDENCE, because: Never win war with England Still attached to England 1776: Form committee to write document to announce independence – Thomas Jefferson (Virginia delegate) did most of work

3. Declaration of Independence POINTS 1.England does NOT look after interests of colonists 2.People are born free and with rights 3.Purpose of gov’t is to protect those rights 4.People entitled to change gov’t if it disregards rights of people Where did these ideas come from??? Democracy – GREEKS Liberty – John Locke Declaration of Independence approved on July 4, 1776 – But, still have a war to fight