Between the Acts As Colonist were busy finding ways to react to the taxes and events leading to the American Revolution. Other colonists and events were filling in gaps that eventually lead to a Declaration of Independence
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry s Give Me liberty speech. March 23rd - 1775
Breed's Hill (the actual location) Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 Continental Army attacked by a assault of over 2000 British soldiers The Americans are ordered not to fire until they can see "the whites of their eyes." As the British get within 15 paces, the Americans fire and halt the British advance. Dr. Joseph Warren The British then regroup and attack 30 minutes later with the same result. A third attack, however, succeeds as the Americans run out of ammunition and are left only with bayonets and stones to defend themselves. The British succeed in taking the hill, but at a loss of half their force, over a thousand casualties, with the Americans losing about 400, including important colonial leader, General Joseph Warren. Moral Victory for Patriots
Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775
Olive Branch Petition By July 1775, the Second Continental Congress was readying for war, though still hoping for peace Many delegates were still loyal to King George III and England What are two names for those who remained loyal to England? Many realized that the colonies were not ready for war. July 8 Olive Branch Petition sent to King who flatly refused it. King George III decided to be even stricter on the colonies. Blocked American Ports - Hired thousands of Hessians to fight for Britain.
July 5, 1775 - Olive Branch Petition
Common Sense Every thing that is right and reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, Tis Time To Part. Thomas Paine Paine was one of the greatest political pamphleteers in history Lived in England, but immigrated to America at the request of Benjamin Franklin He published a pamphlet in Jan. 10th 1776 The pamphlet sold 1/2 a million copies in 6 months It was a major piece of Pro Revolution Propaganda For the first time, the notion of independence was on the lips of every yeoman in the colonies and a new idea of a separate nationality was in their heads. Thomas Paine was the first man to string together these five words: The United States of America.
Calling For Independence Richard Henry Lee In Lee's Resolution on the 7th of June 1776 during the Second Continental Congress Lee put forth the motion to the Continental Congress to declare Independence from Great Britain, which read (in part): Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. His resolution is in the end part of the Declaration of Independence. Lee introduced his resolution on June 7, 1776. It was tabled for a day, then debated on June 8. Again more debate was needed to this big step, so again it was tabled until until July 1, 1776. But in the time between (June 8th and July 1) a committee was assigned to draft a declaration of independence in case the resolution was passed.
Richard Henry Lee Presents Resolution calling for independence June 7th - 1776
John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were to write the Declaration Jefferson was chosen to write it for two reasons: 1) He was a very good writer. 2) He was from Virginia. July 2, 1776 - Congress passed Lee s resolution. The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.... It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776 On July 2, 1776 - King George III writes in his journal nothing of great importance happened on this day.
Congress signs the Declaration of Independence
Five Parts of the Declaration of Independence Preamble - Announces the reason for doc. Rights of the People List of unfair acts of George III Actions taken to avoid Declaration. Declaration of Independence from Britain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byjz0486eik