Documents and Meetings calling for Independence

1. Documents and Meetings calling for Independence

2. Mecklenburg Resolves • According to North Carolinian folk-lore, some citizens of Mecklenburg Co. gathered in Charlotte on May 20, 1775 and signed a declaration of independence from Britain- the 1st of these in the American colonies. • Not a lot of documented evidence. The story was popularized in later years by some who claimed to have been signatories. • The document itself was alleged to have burned in a fire in 1800 • The date of the event was memorialized on the state seal and on the state flag.

3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense • Published anonymously in 1776 • 6 months before “Declaration of Independence” • Paine's “Common Sense” was a radical and passionate call for America to free itself from British rule and to set up an independent government. • Paine pushed for country where personal freedom and social equality would be upheld. • His pamphlet was the first to speak directly to a mass audience - it went through fifty-six editions within a year of publication • Converted thousands of citizens to the cause of American independence.

4. 4TH Provincial Congress of NCHalifax Assembly The Halifax Resolves were the first official acts by any of the 13 colonies calling for independence from Great Britain. The state of NC, on April 12, 1776, authorized her delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence. The 83 delegates present in Halifax, NC at the Fourth Provincial Congress unanimously adopted the Halifax Resolves

5. Fourth Provincial Congress Halifax, NC

6. 2ND Continental Congress • Philadelphia, PA • Summer of 1776 • Delegates from each of the 13 colonies • Set up Continental Army - Washington Commander • Served as temporary government during war • Sent Olive Branch Petition • Signed Declaration of Independence

7. Declaration of Independence Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in the morning of a bright, sunny, but cool Philadelphia day. John Dunlap prints the Declaration of Independence. These prints are now called "Dunlap Broadsides." Twenty-four copies are known to exist, two of which are in the Library of Congress. One of these was Washington's personal copy. Written by Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776 Declare independence from Britain Lists complaints against the King and Parliament

9. The Declaration is divided into 5 sections Preamble Rights of people to control government Tyrannical Acts of the King Efforts to Avoid Separation Declaring Freedom and Independence