The Road to Revolution

1. The Road to Revolution 6-4: Declaring Independence

2. Abigail Adams and John Adams — Benjamin Blythe The Continental Army is Formed Abigail Adams – • brilliant wife of John Adams whose thoughts on government strongly influenced the colonial leader and future President

3. The Continental Army is Formed Green Mountain Boys – • Patriot militia in Vermont led by Ethan Allen • captured Ft. Ticonderoga, near Lake Champlain, for its cannons

4. The Continental Army is Formed 2nd Continental Congress – • acted as the American government • created Continental Army with 20,000 soldiers and authorized printing of money to pay them • named George Washingtonto command it • asked colonies to form new governments • asked George III to repeal Intolerable Acts and remove troops from America

5. The Continental Army is Formed • Colonists met in Philadelphia to organize a temporary government and to set up a structured military, taking control from the mobs and madmen who had brought them to this point. • Meanwhile, the plan to force the British from Boston was starting to develop Summary –

6. The Battle of Bunker Breed’s Hill There is NO battle on Bunker Hill.

7. The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill — John Trumbull The Battle of Bunker Hill — Howard Pyle The Battle of Bunker Breed’s Hill

8. The Battle of Breed’s Hill Breed’s Hill – • costly British victory on the hills outside Boston • William Prescott – • Colonel who led the Patriots in the battle • Summary – • Patriots fortified hillsides near Boston. • showed that the inexperienced militias would stand and fight, and they would not be easily intimidated.

9. A Last Attempt at Peace Quebec – Mercenaries – • failed Patriot effort to invade Canada • Led by Benedict Arnold • soldiers who are paid to fight in wars that they have no stake in • German mercenaries in America were called Hessians

10. A Last Attempt at Peace Olive Branch Petition – • document sent to King George III by the 2nd Continental Congress • asked George III to repeal the Intolerable Acts and remove troops from America

11. A Last Attempt at Peace George III – • rejected Olive Branch Petition – • Labeled the colonists “rebels” and declared them in rebellion • hired 20,000 Hessian mercenaries to fight in America • ordered blockade of American ports

12. A Last Attempt at Peace Summary – • The colonists tried once again to restore peace with the British government • George III became all the more determined to force compliance

13. The British Retreat from Boston Ticonderoga – • cannons obtained here were used to force the British from Boston • Summary – • Once the Ticonderoga cannons arrive, the British face the choice of either attacking fortified hills or leaving Boston.

14. Common Sense Is Published Common Sense – • pamphlet written by Thomas Paine • to convince Americans the time had come to declare independence • Summary – • Paine’s influential publication sold well • led to open debate about independence • convinced many Americans that it was the only way to secure their rights.

15. The Declaration of Independence John Trumbull A Time of Decision

16. A Time of Decision Declaration of Independence – • written to enlighten the world as to why the “United Colonies” considered themselves “free and independent states” • ...the “United States of America” • The resolution that the colonies should declare independence was proposed by Richard Henry Leeof Virginia. • The primary author was Thomas Jefferson

17. A Time of Decision Summary – • Paine’s arguments in Common Sense influenced enough colonial leaders that a majority of the Congress began to support the idea of independence. • Enlightenment philosophy required that reasonable men explain themselves, so they set up a committee to write the Declaration of Independence.

18. The Declaration is Adopted John Hancock – • President of 2nd Continental Congress who signed his name big • John Locke – • ideas of Declaration are based on his Enlightenment philosophy • Summary – • Americans declare themselves to be a new nation, governing themselves

19. The Road to Revolution6-4: Declaring Independence ... now all they have to do is win a war against the most powerful country on earth.