Chapter 5 Lesson 4
Writing the Declaration of Independence
As they debated, Congress chose a committee to write a declaration of independence. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman formed the committee. Adams asked Jefferson to write the first draft. Jefferson hesitated, but Adams persuaded him.
Delegates
Attending was John and Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington, who had attended the First Continental Congress. There were some new delegates as well. Benjamin Franklin, one of the most respected men in the colonies, had been a leader in the Pennsylvania legislature. In 1765 he represented the colonies in London and helped win repeal of the Stamp Act. John Hancock of Massachusetts was a wealthy merchant. He funded many Patriot groups, including the Sons of Liberty. The delegates chose Hancock to be president of the Second Continental Congress. Thomas Jefferson was also a delegate. He served in the Virginia legislature. Jefferson was already known as a brilliant thinker and writer.
First Attack
Congress learned that British troops in Canada were planning to invade New York. The Americans decided to strike first. A unit of Patriots marched north from Fort Ticonderoga and captured Montreal. However, an American attack on Quebec, led by Benedict Arnold, failed.
Spreading the Word
Copies of the Declaration of Independence were printed and sent out to people in the newly declared states. George Washington had the Declaration read to his troops in New York City on July 9. In Worcester, Massachusetts, a public reading of the Declaration of Independence led to celebrations.
The Beginning
Finally, the Declaration announces America's new status. Pledging "to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor," the Americans declared themselves a new nation. The struggle for independence, the American Revolution, had begun.
Disputes
In 1774 the Continental Congress agreed to meet again if the British did not address their complaints
Conquering of Boston
In March 1776, Washington believed his army was ready to fight. Under the cover of darkness, he moved soldiers and cannons into position overlooking Boston, while the redcoats slept. The British were surprised and now in range of the large guns of the Patriots. British General William Howe called for a retreat of his soldiers onto the boats. On March 17, Washington led his troops into the city. They watched as the British troops sailed away to Halifax, Nova Scotia, a part of Canada.
First Draft Ideas
Jefferson agreed that he would do the writing for the great project. He drew on ideas from English philosopher John Locke to explain why the 13 colonies were proclaiming their freedom. In the 1690s Locke expressed the idea that people are born with certain natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Locke wrote that people form governments to protect those rights, and that a government interfering with those rights could rightfully be overthrown. Jefferson and other Patriots agreed with Locke.
Independence Day
John Adams expected the day Congress voted on Lee's resolution for independence to be celebrated as a national holiday. It was supposed to be July 2nd. Instead, July 4, the date the delegates actually adopted the Declaration of Independence, is celebrated as Independence Day.
Vote for Support
On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted on Lee's resolution for independence. Twelve colonies voted for independence. New York did not vote but later announced its support.
Natural Rights
The Declaration of Independence states what Jefferson and many Americans thought were universal principles, or principles that apply to all people in all situations. It begins by describing what had long been viewed as basic English rights
Popular Sovereignty
The Declaration states that government exists to protect these rights. If government fails, "it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and to institute new Government." The document goes on to list grievances against the king and Parliament. These include "cutting off our trade with all parts of the world" and "imposing taxes on us without our consent." Americans had "Petitioned for Redress" of these grievances. The British had ignored or rejected these petitions.
Break Away or Stay Put?
The Second Continental Congress was filled with debate over if they should declare themselves an independent nation or stay under British rule. In June 1776, Virginia's Richard Henry Lee offered a bold resolution, saying they should. The Congress debated Lee's resolution. Some delegates still thought the colonies should not form a separate nation. Others argued that war had already begun and they should be free from Great Britain. Still others feared Britain's power to crush the rebellion.
Proofing and Signing
The delegates discussed Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence. After making some changes they approved the document on July 4, 1776. John Hancock signed the Declaration first. He remarked that he wrote his name large enough for King George to read without his glasses. Eventually 56 delegates signed the document announcing the birth of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence: Proclamation
The final section proclaims the existence of the new nation.
Common Sense
The growing support for independence was inspired by writer Thomas Paine. Paine arrived in the colonies from England in 1774. In January 1776, he published a pamphlet called Common Sense. In bold language, Paine called for a complete break with British rule.
The Declaration of Independence: Complaints
The next two sections of the Declaration list the rights that the colonists believed they should have and their complaints against Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence: The Preamble
The preamble, or introduction, states that people who wish to form a new country should explain their reasons for doing so.
The Second Continental Congress
They met on May 10, 1775. The delegates included some of the greatest leaders in the colonies.
Decisions
They were not ready to vote to break from Great Britain. Although, they did take steps to begin governing the colonies. They allowed the printing of money and set up a post office with Franklin in charge. They also formed committees to deal with their relationship with Native Americans and foreign countries. Most importantly they created the Continental Army. It would be able to form and carry out an overall strategy for fighting the British. Everyone chose George Washington to command this army. Washington was an experienced soldier and a respected Southern planter. They then offered one last chance of peace. They sent a petition to George III.It was named the Olive Branch Petition assuring the king they wanted only peace. It asked the king to protect their rights. The king rejected the petition. Instead, he prepared for war. He hired more than 30,000 German troops, called Hessians to fight with British troops.
Washington's preparations
Washington reached the Boston area in July 1775, a few weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British had control of Boston with Patriots on the outskirts. Although the size of the colonial force grew every day, Washington realized that the men were disorganized and lacked discipline. He began to turn the armed civilians into soldiers. Washington also needed weapons. He arranged to have dozens of cannons hauled 300 miles from Fort Ticonderoga.
