Ideas Help Start a Ideas Help Start a Revolution Revolution

Section 4*2Section 4*2

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Preview Questions Preview Questions

What efforts did colonists make to What efforts did colonists make to avoid bloodshed as they hovered avoid bloodshed as they hovered between war and peace?between war and peace?

What political and philosophical ideas What political and philosophical ideas are behind the Declaration of are behind the Declaration of Independence? Independence?

What different attitudes were held by What different attitudes were held by Loyalists and Patriots?Loyalists and Patriots?

I. Efforts to Avoid WarI. Efforts to Avoid War

Meeting of colonial Meeting of colonial delegatesdelegates

Some leaders urged Some leaders urged independence, but others independence, but others were not readywere not ready

Delegates created the Delegates created the Continental Army and Continental Army and placed George placed George Washington in charge. Washington in charge.

The Second Continental Congress -The Second Continental Congress -1775 1775

I. Efforts to Avoid WarI. Efforts to Avoid War

The Battle of Bunker Hill: The Battle of Bunker Hill: – Deadliest battle of war Deadliest battle of war – British victory, but 1,000 killedBritish victory, but 1,000 killed

The Olive Branch Petition The Olive Branch Petition – Peace offer sent to George IIIPeace offer sent to George III– George rejected it and declared colonies George rejected it and declared colonies

were in rebellionwere in rebellion

II. Move Toward II. Move Toward Independence Independence

Common SenseCommon Sense – – Thomas PaineThomas Paine– Turned public opinion against BritainTurned public opinion against Britain– Unified colonies in quest for Unified colonies in quest for

independence independence

II. Move Toward II. Move Toward IndependenceIndependence

Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence – Formally announces independence Formally announces independence – Jefferson chosen to write formal Jefferson chosen to write formal

declaration declaration – Main Ideas: Main Ideas:

Colonists have natural rights (life, liberty, Colonists have natural rights (life, liberty, etc.) etc.)

List wrongdoings of King George List wrongdoings of King George Outlines the American dream Outlines the American dream

““We hold these truths to be self-We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are evident, that all men are

created equal, that they are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” and the pursuit of Happiness.”

““We hold these truths to be self-We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are evident, that all men are

created equal, that they are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” and the pursuit of Happiness.”

II. Move Toward II. Move Toward IndependenceIndependence

Effects:Effects:– Win support for independence Win support for independence – Patriots now officially rebelsPatriots now officially rebels– Increases colonial unity Increases colonial unity – List principles of government List principles of government

III. Americans Choose SidesIII. Americans Choose Sides

Patriots: Those who Patriots: Those who rebelled vs. Britain rebelled vs. Britain – Majority of colonists Majority of colonists

(~ 80%)(~ 80%)– Younger & Younger &

energeticenergetic– Middle class Middle class – Mostly from New Mostly from New

EnglandEngland

III. Americans Choose SidesIII. Americans Choose Sides

Loyalists: Remained loyal to Britain Loyalists: Remained loyal to Britain – Only ~ 20% of colonists Only ~ 20% of colonists – Older & conservative Older & conservative – Found in middle colonies Found in middle colonies – Reasons to remain loyal: Reasons to remain loyal:

Saw rebellion as dangerous Saw rebellion as dangerous Didn’t know about revolutionary events Didn’t know about revolutionary events Feared what would happen if colonies lost Feared what would happen if colonies lost