Chapter 4 Section 1 and 2 (4.1)The Revolution Begins and (4.2) Declaring Independence

Bell Work - The Path to War

Reflect on the 5 major Events/Acts that led us to the eve of the Revolutionary War between the Colonies and the British Crown: -Describe 4 of these events -Describe how 1 of them led to the War -

“The only good wars are the American Revolution, World War II, and the Star Wars Trilogy” Bart Simpson

4.1 & 4.2 The Big Idea ● ● ● The 1st Continental Congress demanded certain rights from Great Britain Armed conflict between British and Colonists broke out with the “Shot heard ‘round the World” The 2nd Continental Congress created the Continental Army to fight the British ● Tensions between The Colonies and Great Britain led to War ● ● Thomas Paine’s Common Sense led many to support Independence The Colonies formally declared their independence from Great Britain, although the Declaration did not address rights of all colonists

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Continental Congress - October 1774

▪ ▪ Gathering of Colonial Leaders formed to voice the colonists concerns to King George III Colonists did not want to separate yet; state concerns and ask King to correct them ▪ Some wanted Peace, others said War was inevitable - continued to boycott goods AND have colonial militias prepare for war ▪ “Declaration of Rights” - 10 resolutions including right to “Life, Liberty, and Property…”

Patrick Henry’s famous Quote

“They tell us, Sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when will we be stronger? Gentlmen may cry, Peace, Peace - but there is no peace. I know not what course others may take; but as for me,

give me liberty or give me death!”

The Ride of Paul Revere - April 1775

▪ Patriots - Colonists who wanted independence from attack by Redcoats) ▪ Redcoats - British soldiers ▪ British Governor of Mass. Thomas Gage learned of ▪ ▪ Patriots’ stockpile of weapons outside of Boston in Concord - decided to seize them The Patriots learned of the surprise attack Revere & William Dawes rode through night warning Patriots that the Redcoats were coming - “One if by land;Two if by sea”

Lexington & Concord - The 1

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Battles

▪ ▪ Minutemen assisted Patriots - local militia nicknamed because they were ready to fight at a minute’s notice “Shot Heard ‘round the World” - someone (we don’t know on what side) let out a gunshot and then everyone started firing ▪ When the smoke cleared, Redcoats won and moved on to Concord ▪ Patriots force Redcoats back at Concord, killing many along the way

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Continental Congress - May 1775

▪ King George III ignored Dec. of Rights - 2 nd CC tried again to voice concerns ▪ First attempt at Republican Government in Colonies ▪ Congress asked Colonies to draw up new Constitutions; Conventions set up to write them ▪ ▪ Authorized the Continental Army - all Colonial soldiers united & led by Virginian soldier George Washington July 5, 1775 Congress presented the King with the Olive Branch Petition but the King would not read it

2 Sides to Every Story

Believed in Independence ● ● ● ● ● Patriot Sons of Liberty (Paul Revere) Minutemen Continental Army soldiers a.k.a. Patriot Soldiers Some Native American groups

Wanted to Remain Under King George’s Rule

● ● ● ● ● Loyalists Redcoat Soldiers Parliment (Crown Officials) Most Native American groups Enslaved African groups

● ● ● ● ● A Tale of 2 Armies King George III and the British Army George Washington and the Continental Army Redcoats highly skilled lots of supplies, if not amo used mercenaries had to cross difficult Atlantic ● Patriots ● Inexperienced; disorganized ● low on supplies ● small navy ● scrappy - fought for their cause ● helped by other countries

Early Battles ▪ ▪ ● Both sides low on men/bullets ● Bunker Hill May 1775 Benedict Arnold/Patriots capture Ft. Ticonderoga & large supply of weapons Patriots told to only “Shoot when you see the whites of their eyes!” The Redcoats won, but they lost twice as many men - proved the Colonists actually had a shot at taking on British ▪ ▪ ▪ Dorchester Heights March 4, 1776 - Colonel Henry Knox transports guns/cannons from Ft. Ticonderoga to G.W. & the Continental Army in Boston When the Redcoats awoke & saw that the GW & Patriots had cannons, they quickly retreated to Canada The birthplace of the rebellion now in Patriot hands

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

● January 1776 - a 47 page pamphlet published ● anonymously, plain language speaking to the common people ● Changed colonists’ opinion of King George ● Citizens, not Kings and Queens, should make laws ● Economic freedom Right to military defense ● Against tyranny - abuse of govt. power

“There is something very absurd in supporting a continent to be perpetually governed by an island…”

Thomas Paine

The Declaration of Independence

Background ● ● ● ● June 1776 - committe writes a document declaring Colonies’ Independence New Seal -

“E pluribus unum”

out of many, one - recognizing , or unity Main author, Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776 the United States of America was born when Continental Congress approves the Dec. of Independence DOCUMENT IMAGE

The Declaration of Independence

● All people posses unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness ● King George had violated their rights by taxing them without their consent, passed unfair laws, interfered w their govt., and burdened the Colonists by stationing Army there Colonies had inherent right to break from Britain ● because King broke his end of the deal - The Enlightenment’s idea of a social contract whereas 1) Govt. protect rights of citizens and 2) people agree to be governed ● ***ONLY APPLIED TO WHITE MALES

Unfinished Business

● ● ● Women - left out Abigail Adams tries to get hubby John Adams to include them “Remember the Ladies…Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands…” and fails Right to vote, own property, etc., not addressed to them ● ● ● ● Enslaved Africans - founding fathers even compared themselves to slaves under British rule Steps taken in New England Colonies to end slavery in 1780’s but not in South (United States now) Despite Proclamation of 1763, Colonists still quietly settled on the Native Amer lands Would become a pattern once we won War