4.2 IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
CHAPTER 4.2
IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
MAIN IDEA: Tensions increased
throughout the colonies until the
Continental Congress declared
independence on July 4, 1776.
WHY IT MATTERS NOW: The
Declaration of Independence
continues to inspire and challenge
people everywhere.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Examine efforts made to avoid bloodshed as the colonies hovered
between war and peace.
2. Summarize the philosophical and political ideas of the Declaration of
Independence.
3. Contrast the attitudes of Loyalists and Patriots.
One American’s Story – William Franklin, son of the famous Ben, is royal
governor of NJ and loyal to King George – see quote page. 103. Rift occurs
within the family (similar to what will happen during the Civil War).
OBJECTIVE #1 - THE COLONIES HOVER BETWEEN PEACE AND WAR
1. Examine efforts made to avoid bloodshed as the colonies hovered
between war and peace.
2. Summarize the philosophical and political ideas of the Declaration of
Independence.
3. Contrast the attitudes of Loyalists and Patriots.
4. Do you think that the Continental Congress was responsible in the
actions that it took?
1775, May
 second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia as minutemen
and British soldiers clash in a bloody battle outside Boston.
 King George gets ready for war
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4.2 IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
 THE DEBATE:
John Adams’ Plan
John Dickinson’s Plan
Each colony sets up its
own govt. and Congress
declares the colonies
independent
Militiamen should be called
an army – The Continental
Army, w/ a general to lead.
reconciliation with England or
the other colonies shall break
away New England.
1775, July – still unable to agree, but since the militiamen are still camped
out near Boston,
1. G. Washington (now 43) is appointed general.
2. AND Congress acts like an independent govt when it
prints money
3. . . .organizes a committee to deal with foreign countries.
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL
1775, JUNE - Meanwhile, in Boston, General Gage decides to strike back at
militiamen.
 Gage sends out 2,400 soldiers to Breed’s Hill (near Bunker Hill –
north end of Boston)
 Colonists shoot down advancing soldiers, the attacked 3 times,
finally winning as the militiamen ran out of ammunition
 Colonists lost 450 men; English over 1,000
 This is the deadliest battle of the war.
THE OLIVE BRANCH PETITION
1775, JULY –2ND CC prepares for the worst (war w/England) but hopes for
the best
 Colonists still feel loyal to George
 Blame his ministers for all the bloodshed
1775, July 8th – 2ns CC sends the king a petition, urging a return to “the
former harmony” between Britain and her colonies.
 George rejects the petition and issues a proclamation saying that the
colonies were in rebellion
 He orders a naval blockade of the coast
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4.2 IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
Questions:
1. Examine efforts made to avoid bloodshed as the colonies hovered
between war and peace.
2. Summarize the philosophical and political ideas of the Declaration of
Independence.
3. Contrast the attitudes of Loyalists and Patriots.
4. Do you think that the Continental Congress was responsible in the
actions that it took?
OBJECTIVE #2 – THE PATRIOTS DECLARE INDEPENDENCE
1. What did Thomas Paine argue in Common Sense?
2. What ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence?
3. Who were the Patriots?
4. Why do you think that Common Sense was so effective?
5. What response did Thomas Jefferson give to justify revolt by the
colonies?
Soon a document called “The Olive Branch Petition” begins to circulate
among the colonists – helping to change public opinion. (Read it and tell how
it would have changed public opinion.)
COMMON SENSE
 Thomas Paine writes anonymously.
 50-page pamphlet explaining why he is personally revolting ag George
III
 read quote page 105 of text.
o The time has come for us to declare an independent “republic”
o Independence is our “destiny”
o It will allow us to trade freely w/ other countries (for guns and
ammunition – have we supplied guns and ammunition to others in
their fights for freedom?)
o We expect to get foreign aid from England’s enemies
o Independence would give us the chance to create a better
society –
 Free from tyranny
 Equal social and economic opportunities for all.
 ½ million copies sell
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4.2 IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
1776, April – George Washington states that “Common Sense” is very
powerfully changing the minds of many.
DECLARING INDEPENDENCE
1776, EARLY SUMMER – SECOND CC is pushed toward decision
 NC has declared independence
 Majority of Virginians have told their delegates they want
independence
 2nd CC urges each colony to form its own government
1776, JUNE 7
VA delegate, Richard Henry Lee, says that “these Untied Colonies are,
and of a right out to be, free and independent States.”
 Congressional delegates continue their dialogue, and appoint a
committee to prepare a formal declaration explaining the reasons for
the colonies’ actions.
 Thomas Jefferson is chosen to write the document
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
 Based on John Locke’s philosophy that people have “natural rights” to
life, liberty, and property; Jeff says “L, L, & Pursuit of Happiness”.
 Government gets its power to rule from the “consent of the
governed.”
 If we can agree to be governed, then we can also agree that we want
to abolish the government, if we think that it is threatening our
rights.
 We can create a new government that would uphold the ideals of “L, L,
and P of H.”
 Since the British king has in numerous ways violated our rights, we are
declaring our independence. – our “unalienable rights” have been
violated by the king!
 Declaration clearly states that “all men are created equal” – meaning
“free men were political equals”
o It does not claim equality of ability or wealth
o It does not include women, Native Americans, or AfricanAmerican slaves (THAT’S A HUGE EXCLUDED POPULATION!)
 But Jefferson’s statement of the principle of equality
helps these groups to get their share down the line.
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4.2 IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
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In his first draft, Jefferson made an outcry against slavery (cruel and
unjust), but those states (esp SC and Georgia) that depended on
slavery objected, so it was removed.
1776, July 2 - a unanimous vote that the colonies were independent
1776, July 4 – Declaration of Independence was adopted
meanwhile, a copy is read to a crowd in front of the Philadelphia State
House (now called Independence Hall)
Patriots (supporters of independence) react with pride and anxiety
when they heard the final vow: “We mutually pledge to each other our
Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”
1. What did Thomas Paine argue in Common Sense?
2. What ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence?
3. Who were the Patriots?
4. Why do you think that Common Sense was so effective?
5. What response did Thomas Jefferson give to justify revolt by the
colonies?
OBJECTIVE #3 – AMERICANS CHOOSE SIDES
1. How did Loyalists differ from Patriots? (their thinking)
2. What groups made up the Loyalists and Patriots?
NOW is decision time… whose side are you going to be on – communities,
friends, and even families are divided.
LOYALISTS AND PATRIOTS
 How many were LOYALISTS is not known; many changed sides during
the war.
 Some Loyalists were tied to the King as they were judges, governors,
or councilors
 Most were ordinary people – of modest wealth
 Some lived far from the cities and did not know all that had happened
 Others remained loyal because they thought England would win and
they wanted to avoid punishment as rebels
 Others remained loyal because they thought that the crown would
protect their rights better than the colonial government would
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4.2 IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
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PATRIOTS were those who believed they would be better off
financially if independent from England.
o Farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, elected officials
Germans in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and VA joined the fight for
independence
Patriots may have numbered about ½ the total population, nut many
people remained NEUTRAL
TAKING SIDES
 The Quakers supported the colonists but did not fight because of their
opposition to all war.
 Many African-Americans took the side of the Patriots, while others
joined the British, who promised them freedom
 Most Native-Americans saw the colonists as a bigger threat to their land,
so they joined the Loyalists
 THE WAR BECOMES A WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE AND A CIVIL WAR
 Choosing sides would come at a high price – as the colonies elect to go to
war with the most powerful empire on earth.
1. How did Loyalists differ from Patriots? (their thinking)
2. What groups made up the Loyalists and Patriots?
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