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The Road to Revolution

Explore the journey towards American independence, from the Second Continental Congress to the writing and approval of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

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The Road to Revolution

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  1. The Road to Revolution Declaring Independence

  2. May 10, 1775: Second Continental Congress • 3 weeks aftershots @Lexington & Concord in Philadelphia, PA • Declaring independence was a long way off • Attendees: • John Adams & Samuel Adams • Patrick Henry & George Washington • Benjamin Franklin • During the Stamp Act crisis, he represented the colonies in London • Helped repeal the Stamp Act • John Hancock • President of the Congress • Thomas Jefferson • Member of Virginia House of Burgesses

  3. Decisions of the Congress • Begin to govern the colonies • Set up a post office • Franklin in charge • Established committees as ambassadors • CreateContinental Army to fight British • Unanimously chose Washingtonto lead • Authorized to print money to pay army

  4. Boston, MA 1775 Militia seized Bunker Hill & Breed’s Hill & fortified Breed’s Hill Fought on Breed’s Hill William Prescott, “Don’t Fire until you see the whites of their eyes” Dr. James Warren, member of the Sons of Liberty, was killed English win battle at huge cost (1,000 killed or wounded) Battle of Bunker Hill

  5. Avoid War • Offeredone last chance to avoid all-out war • Sent the Olive Branch Petition • Formal request for peace • Requested king to protect colonists’ rights • King rejected the petition & sought to punishthe colonies • Hired 30,000 German soldiers & sent to fight with British  called Hessians

  6. Continental Army surrounded the British in Boston, MA Washington had artillery captured at Fort Ticonderoga moved to Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston Continental Army controlled the high ground & threatened to bombard the City British General Howe withdrew his troops Siege of Boston

  7. “Common Sense” • Militias form into continental regiments • Washington takes Montreal (November 1775) • Common Sense is published • Writtenby Thomas Paine • Pamphlet argues it’s common sense to embrace independence from Britain • April 1776 more colonists support independence

  8. May 1776 Richard Henry Lee introduced idea of “free and independent states” Resolution debated in Congress Committee formed to write the Declaration Committee of 5 Thomas Jefferson is main author Declaring Independence

  9. Declaration Committee Benjamin Franklin John Adams Thomas Jefferson Robert Livingston Roger Sherman

  10. Writing the Declaration of Independence

  11. Declaring Independence • July 4, 1776 • Congress approves a revised Declaration of Independence • 5 parts • Preamble = Introduction • Rights of the People • List of Grievances • Independence Declared

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