Declaring Independence Chapter 8 Section 1 Looking back

Declaring Independence Chapter 8 Section 1

Looking back over the long struggle for independence, John Adams wrote: • “The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was affected from 1760 to 1775… before a drop of blood was drawn at Lexington. ” What do you think Adams meant by this?

Recap • News of April 19, 1775, skirmish at Lexington and Concord spread throughout the north. Within days 10, 000 -15, 000 militia members surrounded Boston to prevent movement by the British Army. • Some still hoped for a peaceful solution, others ready for war.

Second Continental Congress • In May, 1775 the Second Continental Congress met as planned. • Sent King George a petition called the Olive Branch Petition declaring their loyalty to the king. • Organized an army called the Continental Army with George Washington in command.

King George III’s reaction to all this-- • The King was furious; believed colonists were trying to gain independence and sent 20, 000 more troops to crush the revolt. • Congress would not know about king’s response for months. • However - Samuel and John Adams believed war was inevitable. John Adams Samuel Adams

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Sides Advantages Disadvantages America 15 k to 20 k Soldiers • Fighting on familiar land. • Believed in the cause and were determined to defend their homes. • George Washington was a brilliant military commander. • Lacked discipline and training. • Few cannons, little gunpowder, no navy. • Few colonists were willing to enlist for long terms. Britain 50 k Soldiers • Most powerful navy in the world. • Well trained and led by officers with proven battle experience. • Hired professional German soldiers called Hessians. • Far from home and fighting on unfamiliar land. • Constantly attacked by the Colonists hiding in the wilderness.

The Green Mountain Boys • As the congress organized the new army, rebel colonists took action. • Ethan Allen, a Vermont blacksmith, led a band called the Green Mountain Boys in a surprise attack of Fort Ticonderoga. • While the British slept Allen and his group crawled through a broken wall and surprised the British. Ethan Allen, with drawn sword, capturing Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775,

Much Needed Supplies • Capturing Fort Ticonderoga gave the Continental Army a valuable supply of ammunition and 50 cannons. • Cannons are hauled to Boston by Ox teams.

Boston • 6, 000 British troops controlled Boston. • Colonial militia surrounded the city preventing the British from marching out. • At sunset on June 16, 1775, Colonel William Prescott led 1, 200 minutemen to take a position on Bunker Hill in Charleston, across the river from Boston. From Bunker Hill they could fire on British ships in Boston’s harbor

Breed’s Hill • Breed’s Hill was an even better position. Prescott ordered his men to dig trenches and be ready to fight at dawn.

Fighting Starts on Breed’s Hill • At sunrise on June 17, 1775, about 2, 000 British soldiers carrying heavy packs struggled up Breed’s Hill. • Because the Americans had very little gunpowder, American commanders shouted, “Do not shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!”

Battle for Bunker Hill • Two times the British soldiers approached Bunker Hill and had to retreat. On the third day the British overtook the hill. • It was a costly victory. • 1, 000 redcoats lay dead or wounded • 400 American losses

Why is Bunker Hill important? • The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major battle of the American Revolution. • Although they retreated, the Battle at Bunker Hill was a moral victory for the militia. • It also showed that the British would not be easy to defeat.

Common Sense • In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense, in which Paine urged colonists to declare independence. • “I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense…” • “Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation. ” In all of the United States, there are only two statues of Thomas Paine, both are in New Jersey.

Lee’s Resolution • Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution in congress to declare independence. • A committee named Thomas Jefferson to write a formal declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence • Our Declaration of Independence is divided into 4 total parts. • Preamble – Introduction explaining why we declared independence. • Declaration of Rights – lists the rights of the people. These include “Life liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. ” • Colonists’ Complaints against Britain. • The final part says the colonies are “free and independent states. ”

Signing the Declaration of Independence • On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress accepted the Declaration of Independence. • John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress is the first person to sign. He signed it boldly saying, “There…I guess King George will be able to read that. ”

Choosing Sides • Americans who supported the declaration were known as Patriots. • Those who did not were called Loyalists or Tories. • Now open your books to page 220 and follow along as our nations 35 th President, John F. Kennedy reads the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence