The Declaration of Independence

What is the Declaration of Independence?

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

We're mercenary troops employed by the British during the war against the American colonies? Where were the mercenaries from?

Yes, the mercenaries were employed by the British. They were from Hesse, Germany.

Who was Patrick Henry?

A Patriot from Virginia who gave a speech in May 1775 that helped lead the colonies closer to independence, "give me liberty, or give me death".

Describe what happened in New York in June of 1776, and who won control of the city?

A fleet of British ships came to New York with 32,000 soldiers the redcoats onslaughted the patriots and took over New York they also got goods and new soldiers by the way the British won.

What is Common Sense?

A pamphlet published in 1776 by Thomas Paine that persuaded many American colonists to support independence from Great Britain.

What role did George Washington play in the revolutionary war?

Commander in chief of the new Continental army.

Why was the mention of slavery removed from the Declaration of Independence?

Delegates feared it would lead to demands to free slaves and they didn't want that because slave trade was important to the economies of many colonies.

List and explain 5 grievances (complaints) that the colonists had against The British Crown

Failure to pass laws Dissolving Houses of Rep. and Colonial Charters Keeping a standing army at a time of peace Taxing w/o consent (Stamp act) Cutting of trade from the rest of the world (Tea act)

What is a mercenary?

Foreign soldiers who fight for pay.

Why was the battle of Saratoga a turning point in the war?

It was a turning point because it was a great victory for the American after loosing twice in a row to the British.

When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

July 4th, 1776.

Who is Thomas Paine.

Published Common Sense in 1776.

Why was the Revolutionary war fought?

So that America could gain its independence from Great Britain

How did various groups of Americans contribute to the war effort?

States supplied soldiers and free African-Americans could now served in the war and women ran farms and businesses and raise money for supplies for the army or making clothing for the army

Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the British force.

Strength: well trained well equipped soldiers large powerful navy weaknesses: had to cross Atlantic ocean used mercenaries as soldiers

Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the colonial force.

Strengths: fought for a cause they believed in Got help from European nations weaknesses: untrained poorly equipped soldiers small navy.

What summer was the Declaration of Independence written? What group of colonial citizens were meeting at the time?

Summer of 1776 and the group meeting at the time was the second continental congress.

Describe what happened at the battle of Trenton. Who won the battle?

The Hessians fell asleep, the patriots surprised and attacked them the patriots won the battle.

Which battle marked the start of the Revolutionary War?

The battle of Lexington and Concord

Explain the concept of "the natural rights of men" and the obligation of the government to protect those rights.

The natural rights of man are God-given rights that all men are created equal and that all men have the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness if government violate these rights that people have the right to abolish the government.

Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence? Who were the men that helped him?

Thomas Jefferson wrote it and Ben Franklin, John Adams, Rodger Sherman, and Robert Livingston helped him.