Transcript Chapter 7.1 cont. - Kenston Local Schools

Revolutionary War
The War Continues
The Declaration of Independence
Chapter 7.1 cont.
• After the first meeting of the Continental
Congress, the members for the 1st Continental
Congress reported back to their colonies for
direction
– Patrick Henry’s famous line was used in gaining
support for preparing for battle
• “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give
me liberty or give me death!’
• *Allegedly, these are not the actual words of Patrick Henry,
but of biographer William Wirt, who knew Henry made a
speech, but filled in words so Henry would be remembered
by.
• Lexington and Concord
• 2nd Continental Congress
– May 1775, now that people have been killed, the
Congress faced some problems:
• They were not a government
• They would not/could not take orders from Parliament
– They had to act as a government
• Massachusetts asked the Continental Congress to assume
responsibility for the soldiers of the militia fighting in
Massachusetts
– The Continental Congress did so and asked other colonies to
send troops: This then became the Continental Army
– Appointed George Washington as commander
– Continental Congress offered another peace request to Britain
The Olive Branch Petition, it was refused due to the increase in
fighting (Ticonderoga, Bunker Hill, etc)
• Who the heck is Thomas Paine? (7.2 notes)
– Wrote a pamphlet (Jan. 1776) called Common
Sense in which he made arguments for breaking
away from England
– For Example
• “One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary
right in kings, is that nature disapproved it, otherwise she
would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind
an ass for a lion”
• “There is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to
be perpetually governed by an island. To be always running
three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting
four or five months for an answer, which when obtained
requires five or six more to explain it, will in a few years be
looked upon as folly and childishness”
– Written in a plain way, many colonist agreed.
120,000 copies made in the colonies (per capita, 12
million copies today)
• Prohibitory Act
– Called the colonies “open enemies”
– Outlawed American commerce and said that
all American ships belonged to the Crown
– Allowed British forces to raid ports and attack
ships
– People in the colonies now began to call for a
break from England, which made its way to
the Continental Congress
• Declaration of Independence
– Richard Henry Lee (VA) proposed a
resolution that a document be written
declaring independence – John Adams was
one of the most vocal about it but many saw
him as obnoxious.
• What did the Declaration do?
– Defined complaints against King George III
– On July 4, 1776 is was approved (at least officially). It
formally dissolved all allegiance to the British Crown and
Created the United States of America
» Declaration started to be signed by members on July
19th took over a year to get all signatures.
• The colonies were now is full revolution
– Not everyone agreed
• Loyalist – people who felt/remained loyal to Great
Britain (over 50,000 fled the colonies)
• Patriots – those who would fight for Independence
– It tore some families apart (like the Civil War did)
» i.e. Ben Franklin and his son
– Issues not included in the Declaration
– Women
» Declaration did not address their rights
– Slaves
» Nearly prevented ratification of the Declaration
» Jefferson had to remove parts regarding slaves