Topic:

Declaring IndependenceEssential Question:What people and events contributed to the Second Continental Congress declaring independence?

Second Continental Congress Meeting of delegates from all 13 colonies in Philadelphia that began in May 1775

Independence Hall

Second Continental Congress Meeting of delegates from all 13 colonies in Philadelphia that began in May 1775

Important delegates: John Hancock of Massachusetts

President of the Second Continental Congress First and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence

President of the Second Continental Congress First and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence

John Adams of Massachusetts Made influential speeches

Helped convince delegates to declare independence

“Voice of the Revolution”

Helped convince delegates to declare independence

“Voice of the Revolution” Wife = Abigail

Their letters provide detailed descriptions of events of the Revolution

512 pages

Wife = Abigail Their letters provide detailed descriptions of events of the Revolution

Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania Tried to negotiate a peaceful solution between Britain and the colonies

Became a strong supporter of the Patriot cause

10-2-2Discuss John Hancock, John Adams, Abigail Adams, and Benjamin Franklin

Write a one-sentence description of one of the four

Tried to negotiate a peaceful solution between Britain and the colonies

Became a strong supporter of the Patriot cause

Tried to negotiate a peaceful solution between Britain and the colonies

Became a strong supporter of the Patriot cause

Patrick Henry of Virginia Early supporter of independence

Famous quotation: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Famous quotation: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Thomas Jefferson of Virginia 2nd youngest delegate

Thomas Jefferson of Virginia 2nd youngest delegate

George Washington of Virginia Wealthy plantation owner Military experience from the French and Indian War

10-2-2Discuss Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington

If you could ask one of them a question, what would it be? How do you think he would answer?

Wealthy plantation owner Military experience from the French and Indian War

Wealthy plantation owner Military experience from the French and Indian War

 Bunker Hill (June 1775) Hill that overlooks Boston Harbor Defended by Minutemen who were low on ammunition

Hill that overlooks Boston Harbor Defended by Minutemen who were low on ammunition Famous quotation by Colonel William Prescott:

“Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

Famous quotation by Colonel William Prescott: “Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

British victory Minutemen had to withdraw when they ran out of ammunition

British victory Minutemen had to withdraw when they ran out of ammunition

British suffered high casualties Over 1000 = 1/3 of their forces in Boston

Proved that the colonists could fight

Death of General Warren

Over 1000 = 1/3 of their forces in Boston

Proved that the colonists could fight

Continental Army Name of the American army during the Revolutionary War

Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander

Name of the American army during the Revolutionary War

Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander

Henry Knox

10-2-2Discuss Bunker Hill and the Continental Army

Write a sentence explaining why Bunker Hill was important to the colonists.

Name of the American army during the Revolutionary War

Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander

Name of the American army during the Revolutionary War

Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander

 Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war

John Dickinson

Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war

Rejected by the king

Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war

Rejected by the King

 Thomas Paine Moved to Philadelphia from England in 1774 Wrote Common Sense (1776)

Moved to Philadelphia from England in 1774 Wrote Common Sense (1776)

Influential pamphlet Encouraged the colonies to declare independence

Written in simple language

Statue in his hometown (Thetford, England)

10-2-2Discuss the Olive Branch Petition and Common Sense

Choose one of the following: Explain the importance of the Olive Branch Petition

Explain the importance of Common Sense

Encouraged the colonies to declare independence

Written in simple language

Encouraged the colonies to declare independence

Written in simple language

 Independence Committee of Five

Appointed on June 11, 1776 Job was to draft a formal declaration of independence

Appointed on June 11, 1776 Job was to draft a formal declaration of independence

Members: Benjamin Franklin John Adams Robert Livingston Roger Sherman Thomas Jefferson

Roger Sherman Thomas Jefferson

Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, 1776

Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson

“Pen of the Revolution”

Written by Thomas Jefferson “Pen of the Revolution” Influenced by the ideas of John Locke

“Pen of the Revolution” Influenced by the ideas of John Locke

Approved on July 4, 1776

Influenced by the ideas of John Locke

Approved on July 4, 1776

Began signing the Declaration on August 2, 1776

10-2-2Discuss the Committee of Five and the Declaration of Independence

Explain how John Locke’s ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence

Approved on July 4, 1776 Began signing the Declaration on August 2, 1776