declaring independence united states history. battles of lexington and concord first battles of the...
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Battles of Lexington and Concord
• First battles of the American Revolution• Small towns outside of Boston, Massachusetts• Redcoats (British) come to seize weapons from
colonists.• Colonists are tipped off by Paul Revere. • Patriot causalities are light; redcoats retreat to
Boston.• Official start of the war– “Shot Heard Round the World”
Loyalists vs. Patriots
• Not all colonists wanted independence.• Olive Branch Petition– Colonists are loyal to King George III, but not to
parliament.– King rejects petition, sends more troops.
• Loyalists (20%) wanted to stay loyal to England.– Opposed taxes, but did not support Revolution.– Did not agree with Patriot policies
• Patriots wanted independence.
Philosophical Foundations of the Declaration of Independence
• Thomas Paine– English immigrant– The real T-Paine
• Wrote Common Sense (pamphlet)– 150,000+ copies produced– Argued for independence
from Britain and unity between 13 colonies.
– The “common man” should have as much opportunity as a king.
The Declaration on Independence
• Influence by Common Sense
• Written July 2nd- July 4th, 1776.
• Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson.– List of grievances– “All Men are Created Equal”– “Life, Liberty, Pursuit of
Happiness.”
• Independence declared, but not yet achieved!