Declaring Independence

1. Declaring Independence

2. Timeline After Lexington and Concord in 1775, militia from the colonies began gathering near Boston The troops eventually reached 20,000 On May 10, 1775, American troops attacked Fort Ticonderoga- Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys captured the fort and a large amount of artillery. Also, on May 10, 1775, the 2nd Continental Congress began meeting in Philadelphia. They agreed to form the Continental Army and George Washington was the commanding general.

3. Battle of Bunker Hill“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” • June 1775 • Militiamen seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill • British decided to attack • General William Howe took 2,200 British soldiers to attack • Colonel William Prescott and militia waited at the top • When the British were close, militia opened fire • British won, but • 1,000 British killed/wounded • 400 militia killed/wounded

4. Last Attempt at Peace July 1775 Most colonists still hoped for peace, even some Patriot leaders still considered themselves loyal subjects of the king. Congress drafted the “Olive Branch Petition” and sent it to London. It was the last hope for peace. The king rejected the petition and announced new measures to punish the colonies. British navy kept American ships from leaving ports. The king hired thousands of Hessians to fight in America

5. George Washington and the Continental Army • The Continental Army thought they could be equal to the British • Washington thought differently- British were professionals, the colonial troops had little training and were poorly equipped. • Washington arrived near Boston at a militia camp and began to gather supplies and develop a strategy

6. Washington and the Continental Army • The Continental Army’s plan involved invading Quebec • They hoped to defeat British forces there and draw the Canadians into the Patriot camp • Benedict Arnold was the leader of the expedition (before he was a traitor) • November 1775 (in harsh conditions) the Continental Army was defeated

7. British Retreat from Boston • In Massachusetts, the Continental Army surrounded British forces in Boston • Cannons were hauled from Fort Ticonderoga (no roads, snow covered mountains) Took them 2 months to drag the 59 cannons to Boston • With the cannons, Washington threatened to bombard the city. Howe decided to withdraw. On 3/17, 9,000 troops left in 100 ships. 1,000 Loyalists also left.

8. Common Sense In early 1776, most Americans still wanted to avoid a break with Britain. Common Sense helped convince many Americans that a complete break with Britain was necessary. Paine ridiculed the idea that kings ruled by the will of God. Argued that ALL monarchies were corrupt. Disagreed with the economic arguments for remaining with Britain Common Sense was an instant success. It sold 100,000 copies in 3 months

9. Time to Decide • Continental Congress remained undecided. • A majority of delegates did not support independence. • May 1776, Congress adopted a resolution authorizing each of the 13 colonies to establish its own government. • On June 7, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution on independence- not everyone wanted to vote on it.

10. Declaration of Independence • Jefferson was chosen to compose the Declaration. He was an excellent writer and Virginia was a powerful colony. • Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 2 weeks. • On July 2, 1776, the resolution was considered again. • July 4, 1776 Congress adopted the document

11. Declaration of Independence • The idea behind the Declaration of Independence comes from the philosophy of John Locke • People have unalienable rights (rights that cannot be taken away) • If a government disregards the rights, it loses it’s right to govern. • The people have the right to abolish the government and form a new one. • It also explained the reasons for the break with Britain. • This act was considered treason by Britain and the Americans would have to win freedom on the battlefield.