____________________________________7th Grade Social Studies

U.S. History from Colonization to Reconstruction Class 29— Preparing for Conflict

October 9, 2017

Focus: Read the opening stanzas from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem, the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Then write your own stanza about what happens next.

Listen, my children, and you shall hearOf the midnight ride of Paul Revere,

On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five:Hardly a man is now alive

Who remembers that famous day and year.

He said to his friend, “If the British marchBy land or sea from the town to-night,Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch

Of the North-Church-tower, as a signal-light,--One if by land, and two if by sea;

And I on the opposite shore will be,Ready to ride and spread the alarm

Through every Middlesex village and farm,For the country-folk to be up and to arm.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Student Objectives: 1. I will identify the four main points of the Intolerable Acts.2. I will identify the decisions made by the First Continental Congress.3. I will interpret fact from fiction during Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride.

Homework: -Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 1 pgs. 115-116 (due 10/11)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 2 pgs. 118 (due 10/12)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 2 pgs. 119-121 (due 10/13)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 126-128; Stop @ New Jersey (due 10/16)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 128-131; Start @ New Jersey (due 10/17)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 132-134 (due 10/20)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 4 pgs. 135-139 (due 10/25)-Chapter 4 Note-Check Quiz Thursday 10/26-Chapter 4 Test Friday 10/27

Handouts:none

I. Intolerable Acts/Coercive ActsII. First Continental Congress

A. DecisionsIII. Paul Revere’s Ride

A. Lexington and Concord

Key terms/ideas/ people/places:Intolerable/Coercive Acts Boston, Massachusetts 1st Continental Congress BoycottMilitia Redcoats General Thomas Gage Dr. Joseph Warren Margaret Kemble GagePaul Revere John Hancock Sam Adams William Dawes RegularsDr. Samuel Prescott

By the end of class today, I will be able to answer the following:Who warned Concord?What happened to Paul Revere during his ride?Why did Margaret Kemble Gage give Dr. Joseph Warren the news that her husband was moving towards Lexington?How did Dr. William Prescott escape?What is a militia?

NotesClass 29— Preparing for Conflict

October 9, 2017

The Coercive Acts, or the Intolerable Acts to Colonists Closed the port of Boston, until they paid for tea MA charter was cancelled-governor decided when and where could meet-reduced self-gov’t British officials accused of crimes will be tried in an English court, not an American

one=more friendly judges Quartering Act-British troops can be quartered in any town in Massachusetts, including private homes. Quebec Act-gave land to the colony of Quebec General Thomas Gage-Governor of MA George Washington responds with "the cause of Boston now is and ever will be the

cause of America."

The First Continental Congress Delegates present from every colony except Georgia. The Intolerable (Coercive) Acts were condemned. British goods will be boycotted as well as all exports to Britain. Each colony is urged to form a "militia" to serve as soldiers in an emergency.

Midnight RideSpring of 1775-General Thomas Gage is now both the commander of the Boston Regulars and the Royal Governor of Massachusetts. He has been attempting to take colonial supplies in other suburban Boston towns such as Salem. Now it is April of 1775 and he has his sights set on the supplies of Concord.

Boston seems like a big city today, but in 1775 it is more like a small town. It is hard to muster 800 Redcoats and the British navy without someone in Boston noticing.

The American spy system led by Paul Revere and Dr. Joseph Warren springs into action. They must first confirm when and where the Regulars are moving. Dr. Joseph Warren has a very reliable source—Margaret Kemble Gage, the American wife of General Gage. She confirms that the British will be moving on Concord on April 19, 1775.

Many Americans believe that Revere’s primary mission was to warn the country that the Regulars were coming. However, that is not the case. Revere’s primary mission was to warn John Hancock and Sam Adams that the British were after them. Revere was not the only person to carry this message to Lexington. Warren also assigned William Dawes, a Boston tanner to deliver the same message by a different route. There was also a third rider, but we do not know his name.

Paul Revere was already prepared for his ride. He had set up system to warn the people in Charlestown, that the British were coming by sea. Two lanterns were lit in the Old North Church. The people of Charlestown prepared to meet Paul Revere and set a dispatch rider ahead. Of course, this is the old “"One if by land and two if by sea."

Revere rushes home and gets prepared for his journey. He must get dressed and head down to the river so that he may cross and start his ride. In his rush, legend has it, he forgot his spurs. He sent his dog back with a note and later the dog returned with his spurs in his mouth. Another legend is that the boatman forgot cloth that was needed to muffle the oars in the water. They knocked on the door of a nearby house. A woman opened the upper window and said one moment. There was a rustling and a moment later a pair of woolen underwear was dropped from the window. Revere safely navigates by the British ships in the harbor to other side.

Once on the other side, he was given a horse, Brown Beauty, and he was off. As he is riding he comes across two

Regulars on patrol to catch dispatch riders such as himself but he is able to navigate around them.

As Revere approaches the house that Adams and Hancock were hiding in, a man by the name of William Monroe was keeping guard. He tells Revere “Do not make so much noise—people are trying to sleep.” Revere replies, “Noise! You’ll have noise enough before long! The Regulars are coming out!” Notice he does not say the British are coming.

Dawes shows up after Revere and the two of them along with Hancock and Adams decide that Concord must also be warned. Dawes and Revere mount again and head for Concord.

As they are traveling they run into a Dr. Samuel Prescott, a physician of Concord. Why is Prescott out so late? He had a date. He was spending time with a girl, Lydia Mullikan, much known for her grace and beauty. Prescott was on his way home.

Prescott, Dawes, and Revere began to travel towards Concord warning every house along the way. As they are moving Revere comes across another patrol. Two men are hiding behind some trees. He calls for Dawes and Prescott. The three decide to attack. The three advance towards the two men that suddenly become four men. One British Regular shouts, “Stop! If you go an inch further you are dead men!”

The three men try to force passage but are forced to turn into a nearby pasture. Prescott seizes an opportunity and tells Revere “Put on!” Prescott spurs his horse and turns left. He jumps a stone wall and will escape to warn Concord. Revere turned right. It was a mistake. As he attempts to escape six more Redcoats show up and surround Revere. In this confusion Dawes head back towards the road confusing his captors by shouting “Halloo, my boys, I’ve got two of them!” Dawes heads in the opposite direction at a full gallop. However, his horse spooks and stops abruptly pitching him out of his saddle.

What happens to the midnight riders? Paul Revere’s night is not done. He will later be let go by the British. During the shots at Lexington, Revere will by burying a chest of important papers in the woods. Prescott goes on to warn Concord and other towns. Dawes returns to his home.

____________________________________7th Grade Social Studies

U.S. History from Colonization to Reconstruction Class 30— Shot Heard Around the World

October 10, 2017

Focus: Could an armed conflict between the British and the colonists been avoided? How? (5 sentences)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Student Objectives: 1. I will explain the importance of the Battles of Lexington and Concord by reenacting the events of April 19, 1775. 2. I will describe the actions of the Second Continental Congress.

Homework: -Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 1 pgs. 115-116 (due 10/11)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 2 pgs. 118 (due 10/12)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 2 pgs. 119-121 (due 10/13)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 126-128; Stop @ New Jersey (due 10/16)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 128-131; Start @ New Jersey (due 10/17)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 132-134 (due 10/20)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 4 pgs. 135-139 (due 10/25)-Chapter 4 Note-Check Quiz Thursday 10/26-Chapter 4 Test Friday 10/27

Handouts:none

I. Lexington A. Lexington Green 1. Parker vs. PitcairnII. Concord Key terms/ideas/ people/places:Lexington Captain John Parker Major John Pitcairn Flanks Bloody CurveHezekiah Wyman Yankeys Mother Batherick Skirmish

By the end of class today, I will be able to answer the following:What did Parker say to his men before the first shots were fired?Where did the British place their best troops on their march back to Concord?Why is the shot at Lexington known as “the shot heard around the world?”How did the colonists prefer to fight?Who fired the first shot?

NotesClass 30— Shot Heard Around the World

October 10, 2017

Lexington:Captain John Parker-leader of the colonists-commands 70 menMajor John Pitcairn-leader of the Regulars-commands 800 men

As the Regulars get closer, they stop marching and sprint stopping about 70 yards from Parker’s troops. They then form up in their battle lines (front rank kneels, the second rank shifts slightly to the right and the third moved a half pace to the right) and yell HUZZA! HUZZA! HUZZA! Major John Pitcairn rides to the front saying, “ Ye villains, ye rebels, disperse, disperse!”

Captain Parker realizes this is not the place to stand and fight, and orders his men to retreat. They do not do so quickly because it is hard to hear. Suddenly, a shot rings out. No one knows who fired. There is a pause as troops on both sides try to figure out who fired. The British open fire next and the field erupts from the crack of their muskets. This sends Parker’s men scattering. In the aftermath of this first battle, 8 colonists are dead, 10 are wounded, and only one British Regular is wounded.

Concord:With the road clear to Concord Major Pitcairn leads his man towards the town. The British arrive at Concord to find a another set of militia men standing in the town. This time the Colonists are a little more prudent. They retreat and leave the town undefended. The British march in but find only 3 canons. Certainly a long march for not finding much in terms of supplies. The Colonists had received the warning and hid their supplies elsewhere.

British Regulars return to Boston:All the while as the Regulars are searching the town, militia from neighboring towns arrive. Now their force is nearly equal to that of the Regulars. The militia returns to the town by a bridge. The Regulars became scared, and this time they do fire first. A skirmish breaks out and the Regulars are forced to retreat. This will be a long hard road for the British.

The British must face a hostile force in an unknown country. In order to protect themselves on their long march the British form up in a square. They place some men in the center of their square so that they can help wherever the fighting is heaviest. The British are smart and know that the heaviest fighting will be on the flanks and the rear. They put their best troops there—it will be costly.

The colonists realize it is to their advantage to fight like guerrillas or skirmishers. They will form a long circle all the way around the British. They will fire from houses, behind trees, and stone walls. The British will come back through Lexington and Parker will get his revenge. Every once in a while the militia will form up ranks and engage the British at places that get the nickname “Bloody Curve.” The house fighting is very brutal. Some colonists are killed on their own door steps.

One man stands out to the British on this day. His name is Hezekiah Wyman. Wyman turned 55 years old on this day. He was too late to arrive at Lexington or Concord, but was not too late for the British retreat. His wife told him he was too old to fight. Nonetheless, he mounted his white horse and took his rifle to the fight. He was very visible on the battlefield as a “tall, gaunt man with long gray locks, mounted on a white horse.” The British infantry saw him many times on their way back to Boston. They dreaded the site of him. For the Regulars, he was death on a pale horse. He would ride within range of the British, get off his horse, lay his barrel across the saddle and squeeze off a shot. He would then ride ahead, dismount and repeat the process. He was an excellent shot. Finally, the British drag themselves back into Boston.

Mother Batherick-captures 6 regular soldiers and tells them “If you ever live to get back, you tell King George that an old woman took six of his grenadiers prisoner.”

The running joke in England was thus, “If one old Yankee woman can take six grenadiers, how many soldiers will it require to conquer America?”

Grenadier

Results of the Battles:Colonists

Killed-50 Wounded-39 Missing-5 Total-94

Regulars Killed-65 Wounded-180 Missing-27 Total-272

The results of Lexington and Concord is why this day is known as the Shot Heard Round the World. The mighty British Regulars are forced to retreat by some “Yankeys.”

Second Continental Congress George Washington chosen as the Commander of the Continental Army. Olive Branch Petition-peace offering to King George III King George III declares the Americans to be rebels.

____________________________________7th Grade Social Studies

U.S. History from Colonization to Reconstruction Class 31— Ticonderoga and Bunker Hill

October 11, 2017

Focus: Why is the first shot fired at Lexington called “the shot heard ‘round the world”?

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Homework:-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 2 pgs. 118 (due 10/12)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 2 pgs. 119-121 (due 10/13)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 126-128; Stop @ New Jersey (due 10/16)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 128-131; Start @ New Jersey (due 10/17)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 132-134 (due 10/20)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 4 pgs. 135-139 (due 10/25)-Chapter 4 Note-Check Quiz Thursday 10/26-Chapter 4 Test Friday 10/27

Handouts:none

I. Ethan Allen A. Green Mountain Boys B. Ticonderoga II. Bunker Hill or Breed’s Hill?

Key terms/ideas/ people/places:Ethan Allen Green Mountain Boys Fort Ticonderoga General William HoweCol. William Prescott Bunker Hill Dr. Joseph Warren Patriot LoyalistBreed’s Hill Dorchester Heights Canada

By the end of class today, I will be able to answer the following:Where is Fort Ticonderoga?How did the Green Mountain Boys take Fort Ticonderoga?Why did the colonists claim victory at Bunker Hill?Why was in an expensive victory for the British?

NotesClass 31— Ticonderoga and Bunker Hill

October 11, 2017

Fort Ticonderoga:Ethan Allen, a Vermont blacksmith, leads a rebellion of the Green Mountain Boys, attacking a British fort along Lake Champlain.

Allen and his group crawl through a broken wall while the British sleep. Their victory yields the rebels valuable thousands of cannon balls and 78 cannons. They tied the cannons to sleds and dragged them by oxen to Boston.

Battle of Bunker Hill. Colonists dig in on Breed’s Hill

o Earthwork 160 ft long 80 ft wide Walls 6 ft high and 1ft thick

Commanding officers on each sideo General William Howe for the British o Col. William Prescott for the Colonials

Royal Navy bombards the earthworks, with little effect on the walls but much on the meno One man has head torn off by cannon ball=panico Prescott jumps on walls while cannon balls whiz by

What mission did each side have? (The British wanted to remove the colonials from the high ground to prevent them from installing cannons that threatened Boston Harbor. The Americans intended to keep the high ground and threaten the British from this vantage point.)

What disadvantages did the British face? (A frontal assault up-hill that would lead to heavy causalities.)o Howe orders his first wave of troops up the hill carrying a full load-100lbs in 90 degree heato Third attack told to take off their heavy packs

What disadvantages did the Colonials face? (By the third assault they run out of ammunition.) The British march up the hill twice, each time suffering tremendous losses. On third attack, the Americans are out of ammunition and retreat. Bloodiest battle of the entire war! 1000 British killed or wounded. 400 American

casualties. The British declare victory, but the Americans claim a moral victory because their

untrained militia had stood up well against the British. Dr. Joseph Warren is killed, takes bayonet to the arm and bullet behind the ear

Cannons from Ticonderoga… The cannons will be placed on Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston Harbor. British General Howe realizes he cannot overpower the American forces. Howe withdraws all his troops from Boston and sails for Canada. The Loyalists accompany Howe and settle in Canada (Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick). What percentage of the colonial population was…

o Loyalist (40%) o Patriot (40%) o Indifferent (20%)

____________________________________7th Grade Social Studies

U.S. History from Colonization to Reconstruction Class 32— Common Sense

October 12, 2017

Focus: Read the following quote from John Adams about Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and then answer the questions.“It has been a general Opinion, that this Pamphlet was of great Importance to the Revolution. I doubted it at the time and have doubted it to this day. It probably converted some to the Doctrine of Independence, and gave others an Excuse for declaring in favor of it. But these would all have followed Congress, with Zeal: and on the other hand it excited many writers against it, particularly Plain Truth, who contributed very largely to fortify and inflame the Party against Independence, and finally lost us the Allens, Penns, and many other Persons of Weight in the Community.”

Does this quote make Adams look unpatriotic? Why or why not? Why would Adams make such a statement? Do you think that Adams would agree with the Author, Plain Truth (believed to be James Chalmers, a wealthy

Maryland Loyalist) who said, “This piece [Common Sense], though it has taken a popular name and implies that the contents are obvious and adapted to the understandings of the bulk of the people, is so far from meriting the title it has attained, that in my opinion it holds principles equally inconsistent with learned and common sense. I know not the author, nor am I anxious to learn his name or character…?” Why or why not?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Student Objectives: 1. I will explain how Thomas Paine’s Common Sense influenced the colonists.

Homework:-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 2 pgs. 119-121 (due 10/13)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 126-128; Stop @ New Jersey (due 10/16)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 128-131; Start @ New Jersey (due 10/17)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 132-134 (due 10/20)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 4 pgs. 135-139 (due 10/25)-Chapter 4 Note-Check Quiz Thursday 10/26-Chapter 4 Test Friday 10/27

1. Excerpt of Common Sense

I. Common SenseB. Thomas Paine

Key terms/ideas/ people/places:Common Sense Thomas Paine

By the end of class today, I will be able to answer the following:Why was it common sense for the colonies to break away from Britain?

Common Sense

In the early ages of the world, according to the scripture chronology there were no kings; the consequence of which was, there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throws mankind into confusion. Holland, without a king hath enjoyed more peace for this last century than any of the monarchical governments in Europe. Antiquity favours the same remark; for the quiet and rural lives of the first Patriarchs have a snappy something in them, which vanishes when we come to the history of Jewish royalty.

Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry. The Heathens paid divine honours to their deceased kings, and the Christian World hath improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred Majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!

The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. 'Tis not the affair of a City, a County, a Province, or a Kingdom; but of a Continent — of at least one-eighth part of the habitable Globe. 'Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected even to the end of time, by the proceedings now. Now is the seed-time of Continental union, faith and honour. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read in it full grown characters.

But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families. Wherefore, the assertion, if true, turns to her reproach; but it happens not to be true, or only partly so, and the phrase PARENT OR MOTHER COUNTRY hath been jesuitically adopted by the King and his parasites, with a low papistical design of gaining an unfair bias on the credulous weakness of our minds. Europe, and not England, is the parent country of America. This new World hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from EVERY PART of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still.

NotesClass 32— Common Sense

October 12, 2017Thomas Paine's Common Sense

o Paine 39 years old Failed at shopkeeper, husband, and corset maker People thought Adams wrote it

encourages the move toward freedom Claimed that it was simply a matter of common sense that an island could not rule a continent Paine soldiered with the common men in the trenches and they respected him for it. His nickname in the

army was even Common Sense. Paine was an English radical, fighting for everybody’s rights. What is it about? (why the colonies should break away) What arguments did it make?

o Didn’t owe king loyaltyo setting up of king/queens wrong

“One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right of kings, is that nature disapproves it, otherwise she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion.”

o G.B. only helped colonies for own benefito owed nothing to Englando Poked fun at the claim that the king spoke directly to God

500,000 copies were produced

____________________________________7th Grade Social Studies

Canada, Mexico, & U.S. History from the Revolution to ReconstructionClass 33—Declaration of Independence

October 13, 2017

Focus: Read the conversation below between Benjamin Harrison of Virginia and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts. Then, answer the questions. “I shall have a great advantage over you, Mr. Gerry,” said Harrison, “when we are all hung for what we are now doing. From the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes, but from the lightness of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead.”

What had the two men just done? Why was it so dangerous?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Student Objectives: 1. I will identify the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence. 2. I will determine how Americans responded to the Declaration of Independence.

Homework:-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 126-128; Stop @ New Jersey (due 10/16)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 128-131; Start @ New Jersey (due 10/17)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 3 pgs. 132-134 (due 10/20)-Read & Take Notes on Chapter 4, Section 4 pgs. 135-139 (due 10/25)-Chapter 4 Note-Check Quiz Thursday 10/26-Chapter 4 Test Friday 10/27

1. The Price They Paid

I. The Declaration of IndependenceB. SignersC. VocabD. Consequences

Key terms/ideas/ people/places:John Hancock Thomas Jefferson Self-evident

Endowed Unalienable Loyalists Patriots Undecided

By the end of class today, I will be able to answer the following:Who signed their name the largest on the Declaration?When was the Declaration adopted?Why were the signers chased by the British?Who was Jefferson talking about when he stated “all men?”

THE PRICE THEY PAID

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr,, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

NotesClass 33—Declaration of Independence

October 13, 2017

July 4, 1776-Declaration of IndependenceAuthor-Thomas Jefferson

Committee assigned the task of writing the Declaration: John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman

Both Adams and Franklin decline to write it Jefferson considered unofficial draftsman of Continental Congress

o John Adams about Jefferson-“reputations of a masterly pen…, in consequence of a very handsome public paper which he had written for the House of Burgesses, which had given him the character of a fine writer.”

Considered a minor administrative chore No one at the time considered the drafting of the Declaration as a major responsibility or honor Adams, perhaps exaggerating said it took Jefferson only a “a day or two” to write Jefferson was upset at the revisions “The People”-Jefferson developed his explanation based on who was not in the picture: infants, children,

women, and slaves-“the people” included all the adult white males of the population

John Hancocko Who is this man? (A Boston merchant and member of the Sons of Liberty.

The British regulars had orders to capture him at Concord. He is nowa Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress.)

Why did he make his signature so large?-Wanted the King to see it without his glasses

Richard Stockton- After signing Declaration of Independence he signs a declaration of allegiance to the King-only signer of the Declaration of independence to do so

What difficulties did Loyalists encounter? a. Shunned by Patriots b. Businesses boycotted c. Vandalism d. Physical threats e. Pressure to leave for Canada, the West Indies, or Britain