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Aim: Why did the Colonists finally declare independence from Great Britain?

Aim: Why did the Colonists finally declare independence from Great Britain? . Do Now: Why did relations with Britain and the American Colonies continue to get worse?. The Beginning of the Revolutionary War.

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Aim: Why did the Colonists finally declare independence from Great Britain?

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  1. Aim: Why did the Colonists finally declare independence from Great Britain? Do Now: Why did relations with Britain and the American Colonies continue to get worse?

  2. The Beginning of the Revolutionary War • In early 1775, the dispute between the British Government and the colonists took a drastic turn. Following the passage of the Coercive or “Intolerable” Acts, British military commander General Thomas Gage had been named governor of Massachusetts. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and other colonial leaders then convened a Provincial Congress to govern Massachusetts without Gage. They also began to stockpile arms and ammunition.

  3. Battle of Lexington and Concord • April 19th, 1775: War erupted in Massachusetts. • General Gage provoked the battles by sending troops to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. • The Patriots were tipped off by Paul Revere of the imminent attack and militia men drove the British troops back to Boston. Result: 200 British Casualties, beginning of the Rev. War.

  4. Patriots vs. Loyalists • Most colonists supported the Second Continental Congress and the boycotts of British Goods, they were known as the patriots. • However, a large minority still supported Great Britain. They were known as Loyalistsor Torries.

  5. The Second Continental Congress • Congress assumed responsibility for the war. • Middle and Southern colonial troops marched north to join the Patriot’s siege of Boston. • George Washington appointed general of the Continental Army. Result: The Olive Branch Petition, King George III rejected this attempt at peace and sent more soldiers to Boston.

  6. Thomas Paine • Author of the book, Common Sense. • Swung Colonies in favor of Independence. “I propose Independence, Republican Government, and a union of new states.”

  7. The Declaration of Independence • July 4th, 1776: Drafted by Thomas Jefferson. • Embraced Enlightenment ideas, Natural Rights, Unalienable Rights. • “All men are created equal”

  8. Key Questions • What actions did the Second Continental Congress take in response to the outbreak of war with Britain? • What was the Olive Branch Petition? • Why did some colonists refer to themselves as Patriots and other as Loyalists? • What ideas did Thomas Jefferson apply when he drafted the Declaration of Independence? • Why was the Declaration of Independence significant?

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