Chapter 6 TCI Declaring Independence All illustrations courtesy

Chapter 6: TCI Declaring Independence All illustrations courtesy History Alive! or clipart.

2 nd Continental Congress • Formed of delegates from the colonies • Still addressing problem of voices not heard by King • New Eng. Militia in Boston vs. British Army • Who should command the New England Army?

Continental Army • Adams proposed mix of all colonies • Nominated Washington • Essentially militia men coming together to protect New England at first • Mixed group; little discipline & training

George Washington • Gentleman from Virginia • Experience from French & Indian War • Excellent character would unite troops • Unanimous decision

Battle of Bunker Hill • Putnam led few hundred men up Breed’s Hill • Howe (British General) ordered attack • Putnam – low on ammunition “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes. ” • Took three attacks for British to take hill • British won, but lost 1000 casualties; Colonial Army = less than half

British abandon Boston • Henry Knox (colonial army) secured guns from Fort Ticonderoga • Surrounded British location overnight at Dorchester Heights • Howe removes troops & Loyalists from Boston March 6, 1776 – anniversary of Boston Massacre • Known in

Olive Branch Petition • Attempt to peacefully negotiate compromise with King • By the time it got to London – King ordered “bring the Traitors to Justice” • Even Washington (horrified by thought of separation) agreed it was time to withdraw as British extension

Common Sense/Thomas Paine • Paine did not believe they owed anything to King • No benefit to America to remain tied to Great Britain • Trade suffered under British control • Dragged into European wars • Oppose tyranny • Persuaded 1000 s of colonists was key to brighter future

Thomas Jefferson • Given task of drafting Declaration of Independence (document written to declare official independent nation) • Youngest member of 2 nd Continental Congress (33) • Virginian planter (wealthy) • Shy but great writer

Declaration of Independence • All but NY cast yes vote • Natural Rights: – Rights all people have since birth – Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness • Slavery & Triangle Trade – Removed from document – Fear of economic backlash if included • Independence Day – Final break July 2 = final draft written – July 4 = approved

Can you answer these? • Who did John Adams propose be the leader of the Continental army and why did he suggest this person? • What is one similarity and three differences between the Olive Branch Petition and Common Sense? • What was the main the differing point of view of Northern and Southern delegates at the 2 nd Continental Congress regarding slavery?

Were you right? • Who did John Adams propose be the leader of the Continental army and why did he suggest this person? George Washington – compromise between north & south; military experience • What is one similarity and three differences between the Olive Branch Petition and Common Sense? – Similarity = Both gave solutions to problems between Great Britain and the colonies – Differences = OB was written directly to the King and CS was written to colonists; Colonists asked for an end to the quarrels and hope for peace and CS claimed GB hurt the colonies; King rejected the OB and called colonist traitors and CS was read by thousands of colonists and were persuaded to align in the fight for independence. • What was the main the differing point of view of Northern and Southern delegates at the 2 nd Continental Congress regarding slavery? – Northern delegates = language about slavery may offend the NE merchants who benefit from the slave trade. – Southern delegates = language would lead to an end to slavery and they relied on slaves for labor force.