Section 6.4 : Declaring Inde pend ence

1. Section 6.4: DeclaringIndependence Today we will trace the events that led the colonies to declare their independence from Britain.

3. Vocabulary • outcome – the end result of an action or event… • ‘olive branch’ – universal symbol of peace… • monarchy – rule by a king or queen… • committee – group of people appointed to perform a specific service or task… • unalienable – cannot be taken away…

4. What We Already Know After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament ordered harsh reprisals against Boston and the colony of Massachusetts.

5. What We Already Know Congress recommended that every Colony begin training militia forces to defend itself against the British.

6. What We Already Know At Lexington andConcord, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were exchanged between British troops and colonial militia.

7. What We Already Know By1776, colonial forces had already fought against British troops at Lexington, Concord, Fort Ticonderoga, Bunker Hill, andQuebec.

8. What We Already Know By 1776, a number of Americans were divided between those committed to independence, Patriots, and an equal number wanted to remain loyal to the British Empire, Loyalists.

9. The Continental Army Is Formed Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress, where they made George Washington theCommanding General of the Continental Army.

10. The Continental Army Is Formed • Congressalsoauthorizedtheprinting of paper money to pay the troops. • It was beginning to act like a real government.

11. Who was chosen to be the head of the Continental Army? • Benedict Arnold • George Washington • John Hancock • Henry Knox • Ethan Allen ?

12. Who was chosen to be the head of the Continental Army? • Benedict Arnold • George Washington • John Hancock • Henry Knox • Ethan Allen ?

13. What was the outcome of the Second Continental Congress’ meeting in May, 1775? • It sent diplomats to London to begin discussing colonial independence with the British government. • It appointed John Hancock as Acting President of the United States. • It selected the Stars and Stripes to be the national flag of the country • It created the Continental Army and authorized the printing of paper money to pay the troops

14. What was the outcome of the Second Continental Congress’ meeting in May, 1775? • It sent diplomats to London to begin discussing colonial independence with the British government. • It appointed John Hancock as Acting President of the United States. • It selected the Stars and Stripes to be the national flag of the country • It created the Continental Army and authorized the printing of paper money to pay the troops

15. The Battle of Bunker Hill In Charlestown, outside Boston, the Colonial militia seized Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill and built fortified positions.

16. TheBattle ofBunker Hill • Although the British won, they suffered huge losses. • About 1,000 British soldiers and about 400 of the militia were casualties. • And the American Colonists proved that they could fight well against the British.

17. A Last Attempt at Peace • Colonial leaders sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, asking him to restore peace between the British Parliament and the Colonies. • The petition arrived just afternews of the Battle of Bunker Hill, so the King angrily rejected the petition and announced a blockade of the American ports.

18. Why did Congress send the Olive Branch Petition? • They were still hoping to find a peaceful way to resolve their problems with Britain. • They doubted that the Continental Army could defeat the redcoats. • They were trying to buy George Washington enough time to train his army. • They were trying to persuade France to support the American revolutionary effort.

19. Why did Congress send the Olive Branch Petition? • They were still hoping to find a peaceful way to resolve their problems with Britain. • They doubted that the Continental Army could defeat the redcoats. • They were trying to buy George Washington enough time to train his army. • They were trying to persuade France to support the American revolutionary effort.

20. How did George III respond to the Olive Branch Petition? • He saw it was just a ploy to buy time for Washington, and scornfully rejected it. • He withdrew the German mercenaries and re-opened the port of Boston. • Since the petition arrived just after the news of the Battle of Bunker Hill, he angrily rejected it. • Since he did not accept the authority of Congress, he ignored it completely.

21. How did George III respond to the Olive Branch Petition? • He saw it was just a ploy to buy time for Washington, and scornfully rejected it. • He withdrew the German mercenaries and re-opened the port of Boston. • Since the petition arrived just after the news of the Battle of Bunker Hill, he angrily rejected it. • Since he did not accept the authority of Congress, he ignored it completely.

22. A Last Attempt at Peace • The soldiers of the Continental Army believed they were the equals of the redcoats. • George Washington knew that the British soldiers were the: • best-trained • best-equipped .... soldiers in the world.

23. A Last Attempt at Peace • Washington knew that his troops would need trainingandsuppliesif they were to have chance against the British army. • In the summer of 1775, Washington arrived in Boston and began to gather materiel and to train the Continental Army.

24. 1.WhatTWO challenges did Washington face in forming the army? • He had to create a trained army. • He had to persuade Congress to recognize and pay the army. • He had to develop a winning strategy to defeat the British army. • He needed to get enough supplies for his troops. Be sure to choose TWO!

25. 1.WhatTWO challenges did Washington face in forming the army? • He had to create a trained army. • He had to persuade Congress to recognize and pay the army. • He had to develop a winning strategy to defeat the British army. • He needed to get enough supplies for his troops. Be sure to choose TWO!

26. “Common Sense”is Published • In early 1776, most Americans still wanted to be a part of Britain. • Thomas Paine’s“Common Sense”helped to change their minds…

27. In clear, simple language, it explained the advantages of, and the need for, immediate independence. • Common Sensepresented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day.

28. Common Senseis Published Paineargued: • all kings and queens were dishonest • independence would be better for the American economy.

29. “Common Sense”is Published • Common Sensesold more than 100,000 copies in three months and was read by millions. • Many people began to support independence after reading it.

30. 2.Why was ‘Common Sense’ important? • It inspired Washington’s men to continue fighting the British. • It recognized all the people who played a role in the fight for independence, not just military and political leaders. • It listed all the crimes that Parliament had inflicted on the colonies through its troops. • It convinced Americans that a complete break with Britain was necessary. • It convinced Parliament that its troops could not win the Revolutionary War.

31. 2.Why was ‘Common Sense’ important? • It inspired Washington’s men to continue fighting the British. • It recognized all the people who played a role in the fight for independence, not just military and political leaders. • It listed all the crimes that Parliament had inflicted on the colonies through its troops. • It convinced Americans that a complete break with Britain was necessary. • It convinced Parliament that its troops could not win the Revolutionary War.

32. How does Thomas Paine describe all monarchies in ’Common Sense’? • All kings and queens rule by the will of God. • All kings and queens are too stupid to rule well. • All kings and queens are dishonest and corrupt. • All kings and queens work for the benefit of their people.

33. How does Thomas Paine describe all monarchies in ’Common Sense’? • All kings and queens rule by the will of God. • All kings and queens are too stupid to rule well. • All kings and queens are dishonest and corrupt. • All kings and queens work for the benefit of their people.

34. To make an alliance with France or Spain To make themselves independent from Britain To sell their products on the open market, without going through Britain To work out a non–violent solution to their difficulties with Parliament What does Paine urge the colonies to do in ’Common Sense’?

35. To make an alliance with France or Spain To make themselves independent from Britain To sell their products on the open market, without going through Britain To work out a non–violent solution to their difficulties with Parliament What does Paine urge the colonies to do in ’Common Sense’?

36. What impact did ’Common Sense’ have on colonial public opinion? • It helped Americans under–stand the Declaration of Independence. • Many people began to support independence after reading it. • It caused many Loyalists to change sides and become Patriots. • Many colonists came to better understand Parliament’s reasons for taxing them. Thomas Paine

37. What impact did ’Common Sense’ have on colonial public opinion? • It helped Americans under–stand the Declaration of Independence. • Many people began to support independence after reading it. • It caused many Loyalists to change sides and become Patriots. • Many colonists came to better understand Parliament’s reasons for taxing them. Thomas Paine

38. A Time of Decision • June 7, 1776 - Richard Henry Leeof Virginia called for an end to all political ties between the colonies and Britain. • Congress set up a committee of five men to write a Declarationof Independence, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.

39. A Time of Decision The committee assigned Thomas Jefferson the job of writingthe Declaration of Independence.

40. A Time of Decision • On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress passed Lee’s resolution. • The Coloniesnow considered themselves independent.

41. The Declaration Is Adopted • Congress adopted the Declarationof Independence onJuly 4, 1776. • The DeclarationcontainedJohn Locke’s ideas that people have certain natural rights that a government cannot take away.

42. The Declaration Is Adopted • Jefferson began with a statement of several ‘self-evident’ truths, meaning that they were obvious to everyone. • He first declared that all men were created equal, and weregiven certain rights by God that could not be taken away. • These unalienable rights included: • life • liberty • the pursuit of happiness.

43. The Declaration Is Adopted • Jefferson stated that governmentsexist to protect the rights of their people, andthatthe government gets their power to rule from the consent of the people. • Jefferson further explained that a government that doesn’t protect the rights of its citizens, loses it’s right to govern those very same people! • The people then have the right to change the government.

44. The Declaration Is Adopted The Declaration also listed the reasons for breaking with Britain,andthendeclared the Colonies to be independent states. King George III

45. 3. What self–evident truths does Jefferson list in the Declaration of Independence? • People have a right to freedom of speech and religion. • All men are created equal. • Kings get their power to rule from God. • All men are endowed with certain unalienable rights. • The people have a right to abolish a gov- ernment that doesn't protect their rights. Choose all that are true!

46. 3. What self–evident truths does Jefferson list in the Declaration of Independence? • People have a right to freedom of speech and religion. • All men are created equal. • Kings get their power to rule from God. • All men are endowed with certain unalienable rights. • The people have a right to abolish a gov- ernment that doesn't protect their rights. Choose all that are true!

47. 3. What self–evident truths does Jefferson list in the Declaration of Independence? • People have a right to freedom of speech and religion. • All men are created equal. • Kings get their power to rule from God. • All men are endowed with certain unalienable rights. • The people have a right to abolish a gov- ernment that doesn't protect their rights. Choose all that are true!

48. 3. What self–evident truths does Jefferson list in the Declaration of Independence? • People have a right to freedom of speech and religion. • All men are created equal. • Kings get their power to rule from God. • All men are endowed with certain unalienable rights. • The people have a right to abolish a gov- ernment that doesn't protect their rights. Choose all that are true!

49. 4. According to the Declarationof Independence, what is the purpose of government? • To protect people's rights or natural condition of freedom • To help people find what they want to do in life • To protect people from harm and make them feel secure • To create opportunities for people and improve their lives

50. 4. According to the Declarationof Independence, what is the purpose of government? • To protect people's rights or natural condition of freedom • To help people find what they want to do in life • To protect people from harm and make them feel secure • To create opportunities for people and improve their lives