The Colonies Declare Independence The Continental Congress After

The Colonies Declare Independence

The Continental Congress • After the passing of the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts, the 13 colonies were fed up with England, King George, and Parliament. • Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia to discuss their opposition to British policy. • They called themselves the Continental congress

The Continental Congress • The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in September of 1774. • There were 55 delegates from each colony EXCEPT Georgia • The delegates were meeting to set up a body to represent American interests and challenge British control of the colonies

The Continental Congress • Many famous colonial leaders attended this meeting…this includes − John and Samuel Adams (Massachusetts) − John Jay (New York) − Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington (Virginia) • These leaders all agreed that the time had come for the Colonies to take a stand against England

The Continental Congress • The Continental Congress decided to: − Created a list of complaints against England − Voted to boycott British trade − Authorized the forming of militias • Groups of citizen soldiers who are armed and trained to fight

The Fighting Begins • England King George were not happy about this Continental Congress. • They knew they were going to have to stomp out this rebellion quickly. • The Colonists knew that if fighting with the English was going to begin, it would begin in the New England Colonies. • Militia companies in New England began training.

The Fighting Begins • They had a special group of fighters that were called Minutemen. − Minutemen were militia members who could be called to fight at a moments notice. • King George knew the colonists were serious. He already had several thousand troops in and around Boston and ordered more troops to leave England for the colonies.

The Fighting Begins • King George ordered Thomas Gage, the British General in Boston to take away all weapons of the Boston militia and arrest the leaders. • General Gage knew that the colonial militia was storing weapons at an arsenal in Concord. He decided to send his troops their to seize the weapons. • The colonists knew the British were ready to attack, and they came up with a plan.

The Fighting Begins • What the colonists did not know was if the British would attack by land or by sea, and they needed to prepare for either situation. • The colonists assigned volunteers to observe and report the movement of the British. It was decided that a lantern and an old church would be used as a signal. • If the British were to attack by land, one lantern would be hung in the church steeple.

The Fighting Begins • If the British were to attack by sea, two lanterns would be hung in the church steeple. • Paul Revere, a devoted member of the Sons of Liberty was chosen as the person who would warn others of a British attack. • The British finally began to move on the night of April 18, 1775

The Fighting Begins • The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere: − Paul Revere and Andre Dawes were to ride on horseback to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams about the British movement. • The stage was set for the first battle at Lexington

The Fighting Begins • Lexington: − Colonial militia were waiting on the British in the town square − When the British approached, the minutemen fired. − This is called “The Shot Heard Around the World − British troops were able to move past the militia

The Fighting Begins • Concord: the British now were moving toward Concord − The colonial militia had already moved the weapons • They were waiting for the British at the Old North Bridge in Concord − Fighting broke at the Bridge. The militia were able to force the British troops to retreat and head back to Boston • The colonists needed more weapons and set their sites on Fort Ticonderoga.

The Fighting Begins • Fort Ticonderoga: May 10, 1775 − British fort holding weapons/ ammunition − Benedict Arnold was told to attack the fort for the colonies and get the weapons − Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys were also going to attack the fort. − The two groups joined together and surprise attacked the British at the fort, forcing them to surrender.

The Fighting Begins • Bunker Hill: June 16, 1775 • Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill overlooked Boston • The British wanted these hills for their strategic value • The British decided to attack. They had way more troops and ammunition than the militia. • The militia leader, William Prescott knew this and came up with a plan

The Fighting Begins • Bunker Hill: June 16, 1775 − Knowing the British were going to charge the hill, Prescott told his men not to fire until they could see the white of the British soldiers eyes. − This worked…the militia was able to fight the British off three different times. − The Americans eventually ran out of gun powder and had to withdraw. − Even though the British won the land it was a victory for the Americans because it showed the British they could fight and would not give up easily.

Choosing Sides • Now that fighting had started between Britain and the Colonies, people in the colonies had to choose sides: − Loyalist: supported Britain and King George − Patriot: supported the colonies and independence

Moving Towards Independence • The Second Continental Congress: − Began on May 10 1775 in Philadelphia − All 13 colonies sent representatives − Many influential leaders: • All of the delegates from the first Congress returned • Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania) • John Hancock (Massachusetts) served as President of the Congress • Thomas Jefferson (Virginia) − This group began to govern the colonies

Moving Towards Independence • The Second Continental Congress: − Authorized the printing of colonial money − Set up a colonial post office − Established the Continental Army with George Washington as the General • Olive Branch Petition: − Issued by Congress to King George − Offered peace if he would protect the Colonists rights

Moving Towards Independence • Declaring Independence: • The issue now facing the colonies was whether or not to break all ties with England. • Richard Henry Lee of Virginia was the first delegate to purpose independence. • Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence:

Moving Towards Independence • Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence: − Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams were the major committee members − They worked to draft ideas for the Declaration. − Thomas Jefferson wrote the final draft • Congress finally voted on the issue of independence on July 2, 1776

The Declaration: • There were 4 parts to the Declaration of Independence −July 4 th, 1776

The Declaration of Independence • There were four parts of the Declaration: − Preamble: • Introduction • Explains why the Congress is declaring its independence − Natural Rights • Lists the God given rights of “man” − List of Grievances against England • Explains how the colonies thing England has done them wrong

The Declaration of Independence • There were four parts of the Declaration: − Resolution (Proclamation) of Independence: • States that the colonies are now a free and independent nation −