The Declaration of Independence and the Beginning of the American Revolution

Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the British forces.

Strengths - Well-trained, well-equipped soldiers and a large, powerful navy Weaknesses - Had to cross the Atlantic Ocean and they sometimes used mercenaries as soldiers

Describes the strengths and weaknesses of the Colonial forces.

Strengths - fought for a cause they believed in and got help from France and Spain Weaknesses - untrained, poorly equipped soldiers and a very small navy

What was the purpose of The Declaration of Independence?

The document was written to declare the American colonies as an independent nation, free from British rule.

What very important issue remained unresolved in The Declaration of Independence?

The issue of slavery was incredibly divisive so the delegates decided not to address it in favor of being able to agree on the rest of the document and take a stand against Britain.

What danger did every signer of The Declaration of Independence understood they were facing when signing this document?

They understood that they were committing an act of treason against Great Britain. If the new nation failed to win its freedom, each of them could be facing being hanged and losing all of their land and wealth, for themselves and for their families.

Who is considered the principle author of The Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

How many days did it take for Thomas Jefferson and the committee to write The Declaration of Independence?

17 days

Who won control of New York City in June of 1776?

The British troops overwhelmed the Patriots with their battle ships and great numbers of soldiers. They bombed New York City and set it on fire.

Why was it difficult to find and keep soldiers in the Continental Army?

The Continental Congress had trouble raising funds from the individual colonies so the army was not well-supplied and they often had to go hungry and without proper shelter.

What is a mercenary?

A soldier that is paid to fight for a country or cause that is not his own.

What does the principle of natural "inalienable" rights mean?

All people are born equal in God's sight, and all are entitled to the same basic rights, that are God-given and cannot be taken away. Natural rights are those that are common to everyone, as opposed to those given by law.

Did Thomas Jefferson and the delegates believe that colonists had a duty to obey the king, whose authority was said, by tradition, to come from God, or that the power to rule comes from the "consent of the governed"?

Thomas Jefferson believed that power comes from the "consent of the governed" and that if a government fails to protect people's fundamental rights, "it is a right of the people to alter or abolish it". The people can create a new government that will protect "their Safety and Happiness."

What were the delegates pledging to do when they signed the Declaration of Independence?

When they signed the document, they pledged to support independence with "our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

What are the names of the other four delegates to the Continental Congress that were part of the committee that created The Declaration of Independence? What colonies did they represent?

William Livingston - NY/NJ Robert Sherman - CT Benjamin Franklin - PA John Adams - MA

How did various groups of citizens contribute to the Patriot war effort?

Many women ran farms and businesses and made clothing for the troops. Many people raised money for supplies and food. Women and children also made ammunition for the guns. Free African Americans also joined the Patriot forces.

In what American city was the Declaration of Independence written?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a building we now call Independence Hall

What are some of the complaints, or grievances, that were listed in The Declaration of Independence?

Taxation without representation, the quartering of British soldiers, the interference with their legal courts, interference with their colonial government assemblies, restrictions on trade, failure to pass laws that were important to the colonies

What could be considered some of the British "worst enemies" in their war against the colonies?

The American frontier/landscape, the American style of "guerilla" fighting, and the Patriot's passion and resolve as they were fighting for their homes and their freedom.

Why is the Battle of Saratoga in October of 1777 considered a turning point in the war?

The French decided to join the American cause because they could see that the Americans and their tactics were capable of beating the great British army.

Who won the Battle of Trenton in December of 1776?

The Patriots snuck up on the German mercenaries that the British had hired to fight for them on Christmas Day and surprised them. Over 900 German mercenaries (Hessians) were taken prisoner by the Patriots.

What summer was The Declaration of Independence written and shared with the American public?

The summer of 1776. The final version was completed and signed by the delegates on July 4, 1776.

What phrase in The Declaration of Independence is the most famous and memorable for people today?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."