Chapter 6: The Declaration of Independence

Where & When did the Second Continental Congress take place?

May 10, 1775 - Philadelphia

Equality

The state of having the same rights and privileges as others

What did the delegates argue about including in the Declaration of Independence?

They objected to statements about slavery. In order for the Declaration to be passed and for the colonies to be United ALL delegates had to agree, therefore any statements made about slavery where taken off of the Declaration as they angered some of the delegates including those from the south. This angered Jefferson. He felt that the delegates did not want to anger the British when talking about slavery.

Who wrote most of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To explain why colonies should be independent from Great Britain

What 3 major decisions did the Second Continental Congress delegates make?

1. Organize colonies for war against the British and created a Continental army and navy. 2. Decided on a leader for the new army (George Washington) 3. Decided to declare Independence from Great Britain.

What does the Declaration of Independence state?

1. Why the colonists needed to write the document 2. Lists the rights the people should have 3. Explains why governments exist and also describes citizens' rights if the government acts unfairly. 4. Lists general complaints against King George III 5. Declares colonies indpendent

Who attended Second Continental Congress?

65 delegates from the 13 colonies, including George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

Declaration of Independence

A document written by Thomas Jefferson explaining why the colonies should no longer be under British rule. It was approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 declaring independence from Britain.

Common Sense

A short powerful book written by Thomas Paine that argued in plain terms that American colonies should break away from Great Britain. Over 500,000 copies were sold and it convinced many colonists to support independence.

Second Continental Congress

After fighting between the colonies and Great Britain began in May 1775, each of the 13 colonies sent delegates (a total of 65) to Philadelphia. The congress became the government of the colonists. It has to decide whether to declare independence and make a plan to fight the war.

When was the document approved?

July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress

Who is the king of England?

King George III

What ideas did Thomas Paine author of Common Sense base his ideas on.

In the 1700's during the Age of Enlightenment, or Age of Reason, people in Europe were exploring new ideas; they believed that all people should have freedom and fair treatment.

What impact did the booklet "Common Sense" have on the colonies?

It convinced many people to support independence by putting it into words that colonists could understand. Never before had more copies been sold! Over 500,000 copies had been sold, people everywhere were reading it including soldiers in the Continental Army. By the spring of 1776, many people were ready to support a vote for Independence.

What did "Common Sense" discuss?

It was a highly influential booklet that encouraged colonists to declare independence from Britain. In this booklet Thomas Paine argued that people should rule themselves rather than be ruled by a king. America, he said, could show the world a better form of government.

Sam Adams

New Englander - Massachusetts from Boston, Puritan, attended Harvard, came from a wealthy family, wasted away family's wealth because he did not care about business. Good at organizing riots, making trouble, made the Sons of Liberty and the Committees of Correspondence and was to be hanged if caught by the Redcoats. Thought America should be a separate nation, free of kings and queens. Colonies should make their own laws.

Minutemen

a Patriot volunteer who was paid and trained to be ready to fight at a minute's notice.

Militia

a body of mostly untrained part-time soldiers who did required military service and were available for full-time paid duty when needed.

Thomas Paine

from Philadelphia, good at writing, lived in London as a corset maker, wrote the pamphlet called Common Sense, which told the colonists reasons why Great Britain was bad

Patrick Henry

from Virginia, Anglican, good at public speaking, read English and Latin, said that the Stamp Act was against liberty, had a lot of speeches, in his most famous speech he said, "Give me liberty, or give me death!"