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A REVOLUTIONThe Patriots Declare Independence and Americans Struggle to Choose

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PATRICK HENRY: A VOICE FROM THE PAST

"'Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" is a famous quotation by Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Virginia Convention in March 23, 1775.

THE COLONIES HOVER BETWEEN PEACE & WARIn May 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to discuss what was next.

One discussion centered around the militiamen, and they agreed on naming them the Continental Army and placed George Washington as the commander.

The Congress also authorized the printing of money to pay the troops and organized a committee to deal with foreign affairs.

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILLGeneral Gage decided to strike against the colonial militia that had set up on Breed’s Hill.Gage sends 2,400 British troops on June 17th, 1775.

The British marched up Breed’s Hill in formal lines and were easily picked off by colonist atop.The British charged three times, and the militia ran out of ammo thus allowing the British to take the hill.Colonist lost 450, British lost 1,000 men.

Notice anything weird about the title of this battle???

THE OLIVE BRANCH PETITION

Although the colonies readied for war, they also were holding out for peace.

Many colonist were still loyal to King George III and blamed the tensions on his ministersJuly 8th, 1775, the Congress sent the king the “Olive Branch Petition,” in hopes of a return to former harmony with Britain.

The king not only rejected their petition and called them rebels, he ordered Parliament to blockade the American coast.

THOMAS PAINE: COMMON SENSE

An anonymous, 50 page pamphlet called Common Sense began circulating through the colonies in 1775.

The author, Thomas Paine, argued that it was time for America to claim its independence. And that it was destined.

Paine argued that if given independence, America could create a new, better society, free of tyranny, and with justice for all.

500,000 copies sold within a year!

DECLARING INDEPENDENCE

Several colonies began declaring individual independence from Britain. North Carolina and Virginia were the first colonies to do so in 1776.Congress appointed a committee to prepare a formal declaration.

A young Virginian lawyer named Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft this momentous document. He drew on principles of The Enlightenment to explain the reasons for independence.

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE The Declaration stated that people had “natural, unalienable” rights.

Jefferson called these rights “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”Jefferson also declared that the government derived its power from the consent of the governed.

This also meant that people had the right to alter or abolish a government they felt was encroaching on their rights.

But what about the statement, “all men are created equal?”

THE FIRST DRAFT…Women and Native Americans were clearly not included in the Declaration of Independence.But Jefferson did attack the cruelty and injustices of the slave trade

Unfortunately, Southern states dependent on slavery (Georgia & South Carolina) objected to this passage so it was omitted.

On July 2, 1776, the delegates voted unanimously for independence.

And on July 4th, 1776, they adopted the Declaration of Independence.

It was read aloud in front of Philadelphia’s State House (now called Independence Hall) to crowds of Patriots.

CHOOSING SIDESAmericans were now caught between being loyal to Britain, or becoming a revolutionary.

Some remained loyal because they served as judges, councilors, or governors. But many were ordinary people.

They remained loyal because they were far from cities and knew little of the events, some were sure the British would win and wanted to keep from punishment, and some thought the Declaration would not protect their rights as well as the king.

Patriots were composed of merchants, farmers, artisans, landowners, and elected officials.

TAKING SIDESWhen it came time to choose sides, several people struggled to pick which side to support.Quakers supported patriots, but were pacifists.

Most Native Americans supported the British since they viewed colonial settlers as a bigger threat to their land.Most African Americans fought with the patriots, but some joined the Loyalists because they were promised freedom for fighting on the side of the crown.

CONCLUSIONSThe colonies were now fraught with the tensions of fighting both against the British and between differing views on the war.

Britain was the mightiest empire in the world at this time, and the patriots had woken a sleeping giant.

It would be the leadership of Washington and the Continental Army that would bring the war to an end.

REMINDERS HW: SPNotes 113-117

Pick the 3 occupations you want to learn about the most from the OSV sheet!

Test Corrections and Make-Up work should be handed in ASAP!

Leave the room better than you found it.