The Road to Revolution Declaring Independence Second Continental

The Road to Revolution Declaring Independence

Second Continental Congress § Met in Philadelphia beginning in May 1775 § Formed Continental Army • Washington chosen to lead § Washington showed up in his military uniform § Tallest man at convention – he looked the part § Authorized printing of paper money to pay troops § Representatives to the meeting were beginning to act like a government

Offering an Olive Branch • July 1775 Moderate members of the congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition – Asked the King to restore harmony between England the colonies • The king rejected the offer and sought new ways to punish the colonies – Blocked colonial ports and hired German Hessians to fight in colonies

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” • In 1776 most colonists wanted to avoid complete break with England • Paine ridiculed the “Divine Right of Kings” and disagreed with economic reasons for remaining with England • Common Sense caused more colonists to embrace the idea of independence from England

Declaring Independence • May 1776 Second Continental Congress adopted resolution authorizing each colony to create its own government • Richard Henry Lee (VA) introduced a resolution saying that the colonies “are and of right, ought to be free and independent states” • Appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence

Committee that drafted the Declaration Benjamin Franklin John Adams Robert Livingston Thomas Jefferson John Roger. Adams Sherman

The Writing of the Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the declaration – Excellent writer – From Virginia Declaring Independence • Based on Natural Rights philosophy of John Locke • “Unalienable Rights” – Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness • July 4, 1776 – Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence • John Hancock, president of the congress was the first to sign

The Declaration in Five Parts • Preamble – “When in the Course of Human events…” • The Rights of the People – “…We hold these truths to be self evident…” • List of Grievances – “…He has refused his assent to laws…for the public good…” • Efforts to avoid separation – “…We have petitioned for a redress of grievances in the most humblest terms…” • Independence Declared – “…These united colonies are, of right ought to be free and independent states…”

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Historical Debate – Were colonial leaders motivated by selfish or ideological reasons? • Ideological - the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc. , that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group What could some examples of selfish reasons be? What could some examples of ideological reasons be?

Quickwrite #5 • I believe the colonial leaders were motivated by selfish/ideological reasons because. . .