July 2 1776 the Second Continental Congress voted

• July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of Independence

• Reasons for Independence: (114) – Many colonists favored independence for TWO reasons: 1. The colonists believed that the British government had violated their rights as British subjects 2. Some of their fellow colonists had already died defending these rights

• Reasons for Independence: (114) – Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine emerged as powerful supporters of Independence – Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense, which stirred up public support for the Revolution and called for the end of Britain’s rule of the colonies • Common Sense sold 120, 000 copies in three months and helped transform a disorganized colonial rebellion into a focused movement for Independence

• The Declaration of Independence: (115) – The Second Continental Congress appointed a fiveperson committee to draft the Declaration of Independence • Virginia lawyer and planter, and slaveholder, Thomas Jefferson, became chair of the committee and did most of the actual writing of the Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence: (115) – July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence • The Declaration of Independence’s immediate purpose was to win support for Independence here and abroad • The Declaration detailed the misdeeds of King George III toward the colonists

• Reactions to Independence: (116 -117) – Declaration of Independence inspired mixed reactions throughout the colonies • Many Patriots rejoiced wildly • Loyalists (Tories): opposed the Declaration of Independence; they based their loyalty to Britain on the long-held belief that to resist the King was to rebel against God • Also, the Loyalists were against Independence because if the colonies won they may lose their wealth

• Fighting the War: (117) • PROBLEMS: – Lack of a powerful central government made the American war effort difficult – The Second Continental Congress had no real authority. They could ask the states for help but could not force them to comply

• THOSE WHO SERVED: (118 -119) – Patriot forces enjoyed TWO key advantages over the British 1. The colonists fought on familiar ground 2. The colonists were motivated by revolutionary zeal

• CONTINENTALS & REDCOATS: (118) • CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS – Most continental soldiers and state militiamen firmly embraced the goal of Independence – Most continental soldiers were: • • Under 23 years of age Owned little or no property Grew up on Farms Some were drafted and others served as paid replacements for draftees • Some enlisted to receive small cash bonuses and promises of free land after the war • They believed they were fighting for a “glorious cause. ”

• CONTINENTALS & REDCOATS: (118) • BRITISH SOLDIERS – British soldiers were young men from poor rural backgrounds – British soldiers were highly trained, well-supplied, and accustomed to military discipline

• AFRICAN AMERICANS & AMERICAN INDIANS: (118 -119) – AFRICAN AMERICANS: – George Washington initially said that black soldiers could not serve in the Continental Army because they feared slaves would revolt if given a gun – In 1775, the Governor of Virginia offered freedom to slaves who would leave their owners to fight in the war on the British side • In Response, the Continental Army began to enlist FREE African Americans

• AFRICAN AMERICANS & AMERICAN INDIANS: (118 -119) – AMERICAN INDIANS • American Indians played an important role in the War – The Native Americans knowledge of the land, made them valuable for both sides – In the beginning both the British and the Patriots tried to respect the Indians’ neutrality – Soon, however, the urgent need for skilled fighters led both sides to recruit Indian soldiers – Native Americans did fight for the British and the Patriots

• WOMEN – Patriot women served the revolutionary cause in important ways • Some fought in the war • Some were spies or messengers • Worked as cooks, laundresses, and nurses • Distributed medical supplies, making uniforms, and helping to manufacture bullets • While men at war some women tended to the farms to help keep the colonial economy going • DID THIS FOR PATRIOTS AND THE BRITISH

• Deborah Sampson Gannett of Massachusetts, for example, disguised herself as a man and became the “faithful and gallant soldier” Robert Shurtleff.