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Chapter 5: Road to Independence, 1763-1776

Chapter 5: Road to Independence, 1763-1776

Creating a Nation 1763–1791

hy It Matters As you study Unit 3, you will learn W that the purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to justify the and to explain the founding principles of the new American flag, nation. You will also learn that the War established a republic, in which power is held by voting citizens through their representatives.

Primary Sources Library See pages 596–597 for primary source readings to accompany Unit 3. Use the American History Primary Source Document Library CD-ROM to find additional primary sources about the American move Washington Crossing the toward independence. by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze

128 CHAPTER XX Chapter Title “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

—, 1775 Road to Independence 1763–1776 Why It Matters A spirit of independence became evident early in the history of the American people. Far from the established rules and restrictions they had faced in their home countries, the new began to make their own laws and develop their own ways of doing things. The Impact Today The ideals of revolutionary America still play a major role in shaping the society we live in. For example: • still exercise their right to protest laws they view as unfair. • Citizens have the right to present their views freely.

The American Republic to 1877 Video The chapter 5 video, “Loyalists and Tories,” portrays events leading up to the Revolutionary War from a Loyalist’s point of view, as well as a Patriot’s.

1763 1770 • Treaty of 1765 • • protests Massacre

1763 1766 1769

1764 1769 • Mozart (aged • Watt 1762 eight) writes 1770 • Rousseau publishes first symphony • Russians destroy The Social Contract Ottoman fleet

130 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence Cause-and-Effect Study Foldable Make this foldable to show the causes and effects of the events that led to declare independence from . Step 1 Fold one sheet of paper in half from side to side.

Fold the sheet vertically.

Step 2 Fold again, 1 inch from the top. (Tip: The middle knuckle of your index finger is about 1 inch long.)

Step 3 Open and label as shown. Colonial British Reactions Actions Draw lines along the fold lines.

Reading and Writing As you read this chapter, Bunker Hill by Don Troiani Low on ammunition, William Prescott fill in the causes (British Actions) and effects gives the order, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” (Colonial Reactions) in the correct columns of your foldable.

1773 1774 • Boston Party • First Continental 1776 meets • Declaration of Independence signed 1775 • Battles fought at Lexington and Concord HISTORY

Chapter Overview 1772 1775 Visit tarvol1.glencoe.com and click on Chapter 5— Chapter Overviews to pre- view chapter information.

1772 1774 • Poland partitioned among • Louis XVI becomes , , and Austria king of

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 131 Taxation Without Representation Guide to Reading

Main Idea Reading Strategy Read to Learn The British government’s actions after Classifying Information British • why the British faced problems in winning the actions created colonial unrest. As after the French and angered American colonists. you read Section 1, re-create the Indian War. diagram below and describe why • why the American colonists Key Terms the colonists disliked these policies. objected to new British laws. revenue, writs of assistance, resolu- tion, effigy, boycott, nonimporta- British action Colonists’ view Section Theme tion, repeal Proclamation of 1763 Civic Rights and Responsibilities The American colonists believed that new Stamp Act British laws denied their civic rights. Preview of Events ✦1760 ✦1765 ✦1770 1763 1765 1767 Proclamation 1764 enacts tax of 1763 Parliament passes Stamp Act colonial imports Sugar Act

In 1763, the British government issued a proclamation ordering all settlement beyond the to stop. Yet, the fertile land of the west tempted Americans to pull up stakes. Led by and others, settlers spilled into western , , and . Boone explored parts of Kentucky in the and and led settlers through the Cumberland Gap, which became part of the Wilderness St. Edward’s crown, worn by George III Road. Boone’s trail served as the main route for families moving west for many years.

Relations with Britain After winning the French and Indian War, Great Britain controlled a vast territory in North America. To limit settlement of this territory, Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763. Parts of the land acquired through the became the provinces of , East , , and (a combination of several Caribbean islands). Most importantly, the Proclamation prohibited colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains.

132 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence Stopping western settlement provided sev- In eral advantages for Britain. It allowed the British Proclamation of 1763 Motion government, not the colonists, to control west- HUDSON'S BAY ward movement. In this way, westward expan- COMPANY sion would go on in an orderly way, and conflict PROVINCE with Native Americans might be avoided. OF QUEBEC Slower western settlement would also slow M is si ss colonists moving away from the colonies on the ip p i coast—where Britain’s important markets and R . investments were. Finally, closing western set- S N ° I 40 N A tlement protected the interests of British officials T N who wanted to control the lucrative fur trade. U O N . M The British planned to keep 10,000 troops in R hio N 70°W O A E I W America to protect their interests. H C S TERRITORY A These plans alarmed the colonists. Many L A P Thirteen P feared that the large number of British troops in Colonies A Atlantic North America might be used to interfere with Other British Ocean their liberties. They saw the Proclamation of territory Spanish ° 1763 as a limit on their freedom. These two territory 80 W Proclamation F ° L 30 N measures contributed to the feeling of distrust Line of 1763 O R I that was growing between Great Britain and its ° D 90 W Gulf of A colonies. 0 300 miles The financial problems of Great Britain com- 0 300 kilometers plicated the situation. The French and Indian Lambert Equal-Area projection War left Britain with a huge public debt. Des- perate for new revenue, or incoming money, the king and Parliament felt it was only fair that the colonists pay part of the cost. They began plans 1. Place What natural feature marked the western bound- to tax them. This decision set off a chain of ary of British territory? events that enraged the American colonists and 2. Analyzing Information Who controlled the Louisiana Territory in 1763? surprised British authorities.

Britain’s Trade Laws The Sugar Act In 1763 became prime min- With a new law in place to stop smuggling, ister of Britain. He was determined to reduce Grenville tried to increase tax revenue. In 1764 Britain’s debt. He decided to take action against Parliament passed the Sugar Act. The act low- smuggling in the colonies. When the colonists ered the tax on molasses imported by the smuggled goods to avoid taxes, Britain lost rev- colonists. Grenville hoped the lower tax would enue that could be used to pay debts. convince the colonists to pay the tax instead of Grenville knew that American juries often smuggling. The act also let officers seize goods found smugglers innocent. In 1763 he convinced from smugglers without going to court. Parliament to pass a law allowing smugglers to The Sugar Act and the new laws to control be sent to vice-admiralty courts. Vice-admiralty smuggling angered the colonists. They believed courts were run by officers and did not have their rights as Englishmen were being violated. juries. In 1767 Parliament decided to authorize Writs of assistance violated their right to be writs of assistance. These legal documents secure in their home. Vice-admiralty courts vio- allowed customs officers to enter any location to lated their right to a jury trial. Furthermore, in search for smuggled goods. trials at vice-admiralty courts, the burden of

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 133 proof was on defendants to prove their inno- In Boston helped start an cence. This contradicted British law, which states organization called the . Mem- that the accused is “innocent until proved guilty.” bers took to the streets to protest the Stamp Act. These measures alarmed the colonists. James People in other cities also organized Sons of Otis, a young lawyer in Boston, argued that “no Liberty groups. parts of [’s colonies] can be taxed with- Throughout the summer of 1765, protesters out their consent . . . every part has a right to be burned effigies—rag figures—representing represented.” In his speeches and pamphlets, unpopular tax collectors. They also raided and Otis defined and defended colonial rights. destroyed houses belonging to royal officials and marched through the streets shouting that Analyzing Why did Parliament pass only Americans had the right to tax Americans. the Sugar Act? The The Stamp Act In October delegates from nine colonies met in New York at the Stamp Act Congress. They In 1765 Parliament passed another law in an drafted a and Parliament Stamp Act, effort to raise money. This law, the declaring that the colonies could not be taxed placed a tax on almost all printed material in the except by their own assemblies. colonies—everything from newspapers and In the colonial cities, people refused to use the pamphlets to wills and playing cards. All printed stamps. They urged merchants to boycott— material had to have a stamp, which was applied refuse to buy—British and European goods in by British officials. Because so many items were protest. Thousands of merchants, artisans, and taxed, it affected almost everyone in the colonial farmers signed nonimportation agreements. In cities. Parliament also passed a law called the these agreements they pledged not to buy or use Quartering Act. It forced the colonies to pay for goods imported from Great Britain. As the boy- housing British troops in taverns, inns, vacant cott spread, British merchants lost so much busi- buildings, and barns. Colonists were also ness that they begged Parliament to repeal, or expected to provide food and drink. These laws cancel, the Stamp Act. convinced many colonists of the need for action. Opposition to these acts centered on two The Act Is Repealed points. Parliament had interfered in colo- In 1766, Parliament gave in nial affairs by taxing the colonies directly. to the colonists’ demands and In addition, it taxed the colonists without repealed the Stamp Act. Yet the their consent. In passing the Stamp Act colonists’ trust in the king and Par- without consulting the colonial legisla- liament was never fully restored. tures, Parliament ignored the colonial While the colonists celebrated tradition of self-government. their victory over the Stamp Act, Parliament passed another act on Protesting the Stamp Act the same day it repealed the A young member of the House Stamp Act. The Patrick Henry, of Burgesses, persuaded of 1766 stated that Parliament had the burgesses to take action against the Revenue stamp the right to tax and make decisions Stamp Act. According to tradition, when for the British colonies “in all he was accused of , Henry replied, cases.” The colonists might have won one battle, “If this be treason, make the most of it!” but the war over making decisions for the colonies resolution The Virginia assembly passed a —a had just begun. formal expression of opinion—declaring it had “the only and sole exclusive right and power to Evaluating What role did Samuel lay taxes” on its citizens. Adams play in colonial protests?

134 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence History Through Art Patrick Henry Before the Virginia by Peter F. Rothermel Patrick Henry gave a fiery speech before the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1765. Why did Henry deliver the speech?

New Taxes Soon after the Stamp Act crisis, Parliament passed a set of laws in 1767 that came to be known as the Townshend Acts. In these acts the British leaders tried to avoid some of the prob- lems the Stamp Act caused. They understood that the colonists would not tolerate internal taxes—those levied or paid inside the colonies. As a result the new taxes applied only to Women took an active role in the protest imported goods, with the tax being paid at the against the Townshend Acts. In towns through- port of entry. The goods taxed, however, out the colonies, women organized groups to included basic items—such as glass, tea, paper, support the boycott of British goods, sometimes and lead—that the colonists had to import calling themselves the . because they did not produce them. They urged Americans to wear homemade fab- By this time the colonists were outraged by rics and produce other goods that were avail- any taxes Parliament passed. They believed that able only from Britain before. They believed this only their own representatives had the right to would help the American colonies become eco- levy taxes on them. The colonists responded by nomically independent. bringing back the boycott that had worked so well against the Stamp Act. The boycott proved Comparing How did the Town- to be even more widespread this time. shend Acts differ from the Stamp Act?

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Checking for Understanding Critical Thinking Analyzing Visuals 1. Key Terms Write sentences or short 4. Identifying Central Issues Why did 6. Geography Skills Review the map paragraphs in which you use the fol- British policies following the French on page 133. The Proclamation of lowing groups of terms correctly: (1) and Indian War lead to increased 1763 banned colonists from settling revenue and writs of assistance; tensions with American colonists? west of the Appalachian Mountains. (2) resolution, effigy, boycott, 5. Determining Cause and Effect Why did the British government want nonimportation, and repeal. Re-create the diagram below and to halt western movement? 2. Reviewing Facts State two reasons describe the effects of these British for the deterioration of relations actions. between the British and the colonists. British Actions Effects Persuasive Writing Write a letter to the editor of a colonial news- Reviewing Themes Sugar Act paper in which you attempt to 3. Civic Rights and Responsibilities Stamp Act persuade fellow colonists to boy- Why did the colonists think the writs cott British goods. Use standard Townshend Acts of assistance violated their rights? grammar, spelling, sentence struc- ture and punctuation.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 135 Building Colonial Unity Guide to Reading

Main Idea Reading Strategy Read to Learn As tensions between colonists and the Organizing Information As you read • why Boston colonists and British British government increased, protests the section, re-create the diagram soldiers clashed, resulting in the grew stronger. below and describe how the Intolera- . ble Acts changed life for colonists. • how the British government tried to Key Terms maintain its control over the colonies. propaganda, committee of correspondence Intolerable Section Theme Acts Groups and Institutions Colonists banded together to protest British laws.

Preview of Events ✦1770 ✦1773 ✦1776 1770 1772 1773 1774 Boston Massacre Samuel Adams sets up a Boston Tea Parliament passes the takes place committee of correspondence Party occurs

In the spring of 1768, British customs officials in Boston seized the Liberty, a ship American protest banner belonging to , a merchant and protest leader. The ship had docked in Boston Harbor to unload a shipment of wine and take on new supplies. The customs officials, however, charged that Hancock was using the ship for smuggling. As news of the ship’s seizure spread through Boston, angry townspeople filled the streets. They shouted against Parliament and the taxes it had imposed on them. The Liberty affair became one of the events that united the colonists against British policies.

Trouble in Boston Protests like the Liberty affair made British colonial officials nervous. In the summer of 1768, worried customs officers sent word back to Britain that the colonies were on the brink of rebellion. Parliament responded by sending two regiments of troops to Boston. As angry Bostonians jeered, the newly arrived “redcoats” set up camp right in the center of the city.

136 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence Many colonists, especially those living in The Word Spreads Boston, felt that the British had pushed them too Colonial leaders used news of the killings as far. First the British had passed a series of laws propaganda—information designed to influence that violated colonial rights. Now they had sent opinion—against the British. Samuel Adams put an army to occupy colonial cities. up posters describing the “Boston Massacre” as a To make matters worse, the soldiers stationed slaughter of innocent Americans by bloodthirsty in Boston acted rudely and sometimes even vio- redcoats. An engraving by showed a lently toward the colonists. Mostly poor men, British officer giving the order to open fire on the redcoats earned little pay. Some of them an orderly crowd. Revere’s powerful image stole goods from local shops or scuffled with strengthened anti-British feeling. boys who taunted them in the streets. The sol- The Boston Massacre led many colonists to call diers competed off-hours for jobs that Bostoni- for stronger boycotts on British goods. Aware of ans wanted. The townspeople’s hatred for the the growing opposition to its policies, Parliament soldiers grew stronger every day. repealed all the Townshend Acts taxes except the one on tea. Many colonists believed they had The Boston Massacre won another victory. They ended their boycotts, Relations between the redcoats and the except on the taxed tea, and started to trade with Boston colonists grew more tense. Then on British merchants again. , 1770, the tension finally reached a Some colonial leaders, however, continued peak. That day a fight broke out between towns- to call for resistance to British rule. In 1772 people and soldiers. While some British officers Samuel Adams revived the Boston committee of tried to calm the crowd, one man shouted, correspondence, an organization used in earlier protests. The committee circulated writings about “We did not send for you. We will not have you colonists’ grievances against Britain. Soon other here. We’ll get rid of you, we’ll drive you away!” committees of correspondence sprang up through- out the colonies, bringing together protesters The angry townspeople moved through the opposed to British measures. ; (See page 596 of the streets, picking up any weapon they could Primary Sources Library for readings about colonial resistance.) find—sticks, stones, shovels, and clubs. They pushed forward toward the customshouse on Explaining How did the Street. Massacre contribute to the repeal of the Townshend Acts? As the crowd approached, the sentry on duty panicked and called for help. The crowd responded by throwing stones, snowballs, oyster shells, and pieces of wood at the soldiers. “Fire, you bloodybacks, you lobsters,” the crowd screamed. “You dare not fire.” After one of the soldiers was knocked down, The Boston Massacre the nervous and confused redcoats did fire. Sev- The British soldiers never stood trial for the massacre. eral shots rang out, killing five colonists. One Eight soldiers and the commanding officer at the Boston Bostonian cried out: Massacre were jailed and tried for murder. Many Patriots thought it was an act of disloyalty to defend the soldiers. “Are the inhabitants to be knocked down in the The soldiers’ hopes for justice rested in the hands of streets? Are they to be murdered in this manner? , who believed that even the enemy should ” be given a fair trial. Two of the soldiers were found Among the dead was , a guilty of manslaughter. The others were found not guilty dockworker who was part African, part Native on grounds of self-defense. Some Patriots questioned Adams’s loyalty; others argued that the trial showed American. The colonists called the tragic even the hated redcoats could receive a fair trial. encounter the Boston Massacre.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 137 The The Boston Tea Party is one of the significant events leading ultimately to American independence.

Most of the Townshend Acts are repealed. The tax on tea remains. In November 1773, the citizens of Boston refuse to allow three British ships to unload 342 chests of tea. On the evening of , Boston citizens disguised as Native Americans board the ships and empty the tea into Boston Harbor. “Fellow countrymen, King George III and Parliament respond by we cannot afford to closing the city port. give a single inch! If we retreat now, everything we have done becomes useless!” — Samuel Adams, December 1773

and others denounced the British monopoly. A Crisis Over Tea The , they argued, was just another In the early 1770s, some Americans consid- attempt to crush the colonists’ liberty. ered British colonial policy a “conspiracy At large public meetings in Boston and Philadel- against liberty.” The British government’s phia, colonists vowed to stop the East Com- actions in 1773 seemed to confirm that view. pany’s ships from unloading. The Daughters of The British faced ruin. To Liberty issued a pamphlet declaring that rather save the East India Company, Parliament passed than part with freedom, “we’ll part with our tea.” the Tea Act of 1773. This measure gave the com- Parliament ignored warnings that another cri- pany the right to ship tea to the colonies without sis was brewing. The East India Company paying most of the taxes usually placed on tea. It shipped tea to , New York, Boston, also allowed the company to bypass colonial mer- and Charles Town. The colonists forced the chants and sell its tea directly to shopkeepers at a ships sent to New York and Philadelphia to turn low price. This meant that East India Company back. The tea sent to Charles Town was seized tea was cheaper than any other tea in the colonies. and stored in a warehouse. In Boston, a show- The Tea Act gave the company a very favorable down began. advantage over colonial merchants. The Boston Tea Party Colonial Demands Three tea ships arrived in Boston Harbor in Colonial merchants immediately called for a late 1773. The royal , whose house had new boycott of British goods. Samuel Adams been destroyed by Stamp Act protesters, refused

138 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence to let the ships turn back. When he ordered the the laws took away certain rights of the Massa- tea unloaded, Adams and the Boston Sons of chusetts colonists. For example, the laws banned Liberty acted swiftly. On December 16, a group most town meetings, an important form of self- of men disguised as Mohawks and armed with government in . Another provision hatchets marched to the wharves. At midnight permitted royal officers to be tried in other they boarded the ships and threw 342 chests of colonies or in Britain when accused of crimes. tea overboard, an event that became known as The Coercive Acts also forced Bostonians to the Boston Tea Party. shelter soldiers in their own homes. Parliament Word of this act of defiance spread throughout planned to isolate Boston with these acts. the colonies. Men and women gathered in the Instead the other colonies sent food and clothing streets to celebrate the bravery of the Boston Sons to demonstrate their support for Boston. The of Liberty. Yet no one spoke of challenging British colonists maintained that the Coercive Acts vio- rule, and colonial leaders continued to think of lated their rights as English citizens. These themselves as members of the . included the rights to no quartering of troops in private homes and no standing army in peace- The Intolerable Acts time without their consent. When news of the Boston Tea Party reached The , passed shortly after the , the reaction was quite different. King Coercive Acts, further angered the colonists. George III realized that Britain was losing con- This act set up a permanent government for trol of the colonies. Lord North, who became Quebec and granted religious freedom to French prime in 1770 and was fiercely loyal to Catholics. Colonists strongly objected to the pro- King George, asked Parliament to take action vision that gave Quebec the area west of the against the colonies. In the spring of 1774, Par- Appalachians and north of the River. This liament passed the Coercive Acts, very harsh provision ignored colonial claims to the area. laws intended to punish the people of Massachu- The feelings of the colonists were made clear by setts for their resistance. their name for the new laws—the Intolerable The Coercive Acts closed Boston Harbor until Acts. the colonists paid for the ruined tea. This action prevented the arrival of food and Summarizing List the effects of the other supplies that normally came by ship. Worse, Coercive Acts on the citizens of Boston.

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Checking for Understanding Critical Thinking Analyzing Visuals 1. Key Terms Use these terms in sen- 4. Drawing Conclusions Do you think 6. Picturing History Examine the tences that relate to the Boston Mas- the Boston Tea Party was a turning material about the Boston Tea Party sacre: propaganda, committee of point in the relationship between the on page 138. What artifacts are correspondence. British and the colonists? Explain. shown? When did the “tea party” 2. Reviewing Facts How did colonial 5. Organizing Information Re-create take place? leaders use the Boston Massacre to the diagram below and describe how their advantage? colonists showed their opposition to British policies. Reviewing Themes Art Draw a cartoon strip showing the story of the Boston Tea Party. 3. Groups and Institutions Why were Increased colonial opposition Use at least four cartoon frames to the committees of correspondence present the sequence of events powerful organizations? from your point of view. Compare your cartoon to a classmate’s and describe his or her point of view.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 139 Esther Forbes (1891–1967) Esther Forbes Johnny Tremain wrote a number of books; among here was a boatswain’s It was close whistle, and in silence one upon dawn when them is the group boarded the Dart- the work on all prize-winning T mouth. The Eleanor and the Beaver three ships was biography Paul had to be warped in to the wharf. done. And yet Revere and the Johnny was close to Mr. Revere’s the great, silent World He Lived In. As she heels. He heard him calling for the audience on the researched Paul Revere’s life, captain, promising him, in the wharf, men, Forbes learned that many young jargon everyone talked that night, women, and chil- apprentices played a role in the that not one thing should be dam- dren, had not American Revolution. Johnny aged on the ship except only the gone home. As Tremain, a fictional work, tells tea, but the captain and all his crew the three groups Paul Revere the story of such an apprentice. had best stay in the cabin until the came off the work was over. ships, they formed in fours along READ TO DISCOVER Captain Hall shrugged and did as the wharf, their axes on their shoul- In this passage from Johnny he was told, leaving his cabin boy to ders. Then a hurrah went up and a Tremain, 14-year-old Johnny hand over the keys to the hold. The fife began to play. and his friend Rab have dis- boy was grinning with pleasure. The Excerpt from Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Copyright © 1943 by Esther Forbes guised themselves as Mohawks. “tea party” was not unexpected. . . . The winches rattled and the Hoskins, © renewed 1971 by Linwood They join the crowd at Griffin’s M. Erskine, Jr., Executor of the Estate of heavy chests began to appear—one Wharf in Boston Harbor, where Esther Forbes Hoskins. Reprinted by per- hundred and fifty of them. As some three English ships carrying tea mission of Houghton Mifflin Co. All rights men worked in the hold, others reserved. are docked and are unable to broke open the chests and flung the leave or unload their cargo. tea into the harbor. But one thing made them unexpected difficulty. ANALYZING LITERATURE READER’S DICTIONARY The tea inside the chests was boatswain: officer on a ship wrapped in heavy canvas. The axes 1. Recall and Interpret Why was warped: roped went through the wood easily the “tea party” expected? jargon: strange language enough—the canvas made endless 2. Evaluate and Connect What hold: place where cargo is trouble. Johnny had never worked does the conduct of the “tea stored on a ship so hard in his life. party” participants suggest about winch: machine for hauling Then Mr. Revere called the cap- the protest? Explain your answer. tain to come up and inspect. The tea was utterly gone, but Captain Hall Interdisciplinary Activity agreed that beyond that there had Expository Writing Write a not been the slightest damage. one-page paper about how you think you would react in Johnny’s situation.

140 A Call to Arms Guide to Reading

Main Idea Reading Strategy Read to Learn Colonial leaders met at Philadelphia Sequencing Information As you • what happened at the Continental in 1774 to discuss a united response read the section, re-create the dia- Congress in Philadelphia. to British policies. Seven months later gram below and list six events leading • how the colonists met British American and British troops met in to the . soldiers in the first battle. battle for the first time. Section Theme Key Terms 1) 2) 3) 4) Groups and Institutions With the , , Loyalist, Patriot establishment of the Continental The Battle of 5) 6) Congress, the colonies continued to Bunker Hill protest. Preview of Events ✦1774 ✦1775 ✦1776

September 1774 , 1775 10, 1775 17, 1775 First Continental Battles of Lexington and captures Battle of Bunker Congress meets Concord are fought Hill is fought

At first few colonists wanted a complete break with Britain. One of the most popular songs of the time, “The Bold Americans,” called for both liberty and continued loyalty to the British king: We’ll honor George, our sovereign, while he sits on the throne. If he grants us liberty, no other king we’ll own. Revolutionary War If he will grant us liberty, so plainly shall you see, drum and fife We are the boys that fear no noise! Success to liberty. As tensions mounted, however, a peaceful compromise was no longer possible.

The Colonial leaders realized they needed more than boycotts to gain the liberty they sang about in “The Bold Americans.” They needed the colonies to act together in their opposition to British policies. In 1774, 55 men arrived in the city of Philadelphia. Sent as dele- gates from all the colonies except , these men had come to establish a political body to represent American interests and challenge British control. They called the new organization the Continental Congress.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 141 grievances calling for the repeal of 13 acts of Parliament passed since 1763. They declared that these laws violated the colonists’ rights. Their rights were based on the “laws of nature, • Colonists’ tradition of self- the principles of the English constitution, and government the several charters” of the colonies. The dele- • Americans’ desire for a separate gates also voted to boycott all British goods identity from Britain and trade. No British products could be brought into or consumed in the colonies, and • Proclamation of 1763 no colonial goods could be shipped to Britain. • Harsh British policies toward North One of Congress’s major decisions was to America after 1763 endorse the . These resolu- tions had been prepared by Bostonians and others who lived in Suffolk , Massa- • A long war with Great Britain chusetts. They called on the people of Suf- folk County to arm themselves against the • Self-government for the United British. The people responded by forming States —groups of citizen soldiers. Many • World recognition of United wondered if war was coming. The answer States independence came the following spring.

Explaining What was the purpose of the Continental Congress? Relations between Britain and America worsened during the 1760s and the 1770s. Analyzing Information Why did the colonists fight for The First Battles self-government? Colonists expected that if fighting against the British broke out, it would begin in New Eng- land. Militia companies in Massachusetts held Delegates to the Congress frequent training sessions, made bullets, and Major political leaders from all the colonies stockpiled rifles and muskets. Some companies, attended the Congress. Massachusetts sent fiery known as minutemen, boasted they would be Samuel Adams and his younger cousin John ready to fight on a minute’s notice. In the winter Adams, a successful lawyer. New York sent of 1774–1775, a British officer stationed in , another lawyer. From Virginia came Boston noted in his diary: and Patrick Henry, two of the most outspoken defenders of colonial rights, “The people are evidently making every as well as . preparation for resistance. They are taking every Patrick Henry summed up the meaning of the means to provide themselves with arms. gathering: ”

The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylva- Britain Sends Troops “ The British also prepared for conflict. King nians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no George announced to Parliament that the New more. . . . I am not a Virginian, but an American.” England colonies were “in a state of rebellion” and said that “blows must decide” who would Decisions of the Congress control America. By April 1775, British general Although the delegates were hardly united Sir had several thousand soldiers in their views, they realized they needed to under his command in and around Boston, with work together. First they drafted a statement of many more on the way. Gage had instructions to

142 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence take away the weapons of the Massachusetts people and houses he passed along the way. militia and arrest the leaders. When he reached Lexington, he raced to tell Gage learned that the militia was storing arms Adams and Hancock his news. Adams could and ammunition at Concord, a town about 20 barely control his excitement. “What a glorious miles northwest of Boston. He ordered 700 troops morning this is!” Adams was ready to fight for under Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith to American independence. march Fighting at Lexington and Concord “to Concord, where you will seize and destroy At dawn the redcoats approached Lexington. all the artillery and ammunition you can find.” When they reached the center of the town they discovered a group of about 70 minutemen who Alerting the Colonists had been alerted by Revere and Dawes. Led by On the night of , 1775, Dr. Joseph War- Captain , the minutemen had posi- ren walked the streets of Boston, looking for any tioned themselves on the town common with unusual activity by the . He saw a muskets in hand. A minuteman reported, regiment form ranks in Boston Common and then begin to march out of the city. “There suddenly appeared a number of the Warren rushed to alert Paul Revere and King’s troops, about a thousand . . . the fore- , leading members of the Sons of most of which cried, ‘Throw down your arms, Liberty. Revere and Dawes rode to Lexington, a ye villains, ye rebels.’ town east of Concord, to warn Samuel Adams ” and John Hancock that the British were coming. A shot was fired, and then both sides let loose Revere galloped off across the moonlit coun- with an exchange of bullets. When the fighting tryside, shouting, “The regulars are out!” to the was over, eight minutemen lay dead.

In The Battles of Lexington and Concord Motion “Stand your ground . . . if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!” North Bridge MINUTEMEN —Captain John Parker, Lexington Militia

MINUTEMEN .

R

c i

t PRESCOTT N s Colonial troops

y

M Concord W E Colonial messengers April 19, 1775 SM S ITH S British troops u Medford d b Lexington u r y April 19, 1775 British victory R iv e Revere captured; Menotomy r (Arlington) American victory Dawes turned back. RE VE RE MASSACHUSETTS 0 3 miles Charlestown Cambridge 0 3 kilometers Lambert Equal-Area projection Boston Charles River Boston Harbor ester Dorch D Neck AW ES 1. Location In which battle did the Americans win their first victory over the British? 2. Analyzing Information About how many miles did the British troops march from Lexington to Concord?

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 143 History Through Art A View of the Town of Concord, 1775 by an unknown artist Two British officers (left) search for fleeing minutemen, while British troops march through Concord. Why did the British march to Lexington and Concord?

The British troops continued their march to More Military Action Concord. When they arrived there, they discov- ered that most of the militia’s gunpowder had Shortly after Lexington and Concord, Benedict already been removed. They destroyed the Arnold, a captain in the militia, was remaining supplies. At Concord’s North Bridge, authorized to raise a force of 400 to seize Fort the minutemen were waiting for them. Ticonderoga on . Ticonderoga Messengers on horseback had spread word of was not only strategically located but was rich in the British movements. All along the road from military supplies. Arnold learned that Ethan Concord to Boston, farmers, blacksmiths, saddle Allen was also mounting an expedition in Ver- makers, and clerks hid behind trees, rocks, and mont to attack the fort. Arnold joined with Allen’s force, known as the Green Mountain stone fences. As the British marched down the Boys, and together they caught the British by sur- road, the militia fired. A British officer wrote, prise. The garrison surrendered on , 1775. “These fellows were generally good marksmen, Later during the war, Arnold conspired to and many of them used long guns made for surrender the key fort of West Point to the duck shooting.” By the time the redcoats British and led British raids against the Amer- reached Boston, at least 174 were wounded and icans in Virginia and Connecticut. Arnold 73 were dead. became a general in the British army. Looking back, the poet Ralph Waldo Emer- son wrote in “The Concord Hymn” that the Building Forces Americans at Lexington and Concord had fired the “shot heard ’round the world.” The battle After the battles of Lexington and Concord, for America’s independence from Great Britain the committees of correspondence sent out calls had begun. for volunteers to join the militias. Soon the colo- nial militia assembled around Boston was about Describing What tactics did the 20,000 strong. For several weeks, the American colonists use against the British troops on their march back and British armies waited nervously to see who from Concord to Boston? would make the next move.

144 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence The Battle of Bunker Hill On , 1775, about 1,200 militiamen under the command of Colonel William Prescott set up fortifications at Bunker Hill and nearby Breed’s Hill, across the harbor from Boston. The Battle of Bunker Hill The British decided to drive the Americans from their strategic locations overlooking the The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on Breed’s Hill. city. The next day the redcoats crossed the har- Most of the fighting did actually take place on Breed’s Hill. The Patriot soldiers received instructions to set up defen- bor and assembled at the bottom of Breed’s Hill. sive positions on Bunker Hill. For reasons that are Bayonets drawn, they charged up the hill. With unclear, they set up the positions on nearby Breed’s Hill. his forces low on ammunition, Colonel Prescott reportedly shouted the order, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” The Americans opened fire, forcing the British to retreat. The chose to stay with Britain, the Loyalists, did not redcoats charged two more times, receiving furi- consider unfair taxes and regulations good rea- ous fire. In the end the Americans ran out of sons for rebellion. Some remained loyal to the gunpowder and had to withdraw. king because they were officeholders who The British won the Battle of Bunker Hill but would lose their positions as a result of the Rev- suffered heavy losses—more than 1,000 dead olution. Others were people who lived in rela- and wounded. As one British officer wrote in his tive isolation and who had not been part of the diary, “A dear bought victory, another such wave of discontent that turned so many Ameri- would have ruined us.” The British had learned cans against Britain. Still others expected Britain that defeating the Americans on the battlefield to win the war and wanted to gain favor with would not be quick or easy. the British. The Patriots, on the other hand, were determined to fight the British to the end—until Choosing Sides American independence was won. As American colonists heard about these bat- tles, they faced a major decision. Should they join Describing What did the British or remain loyal to Britain? Those who learn from the Battle of Bunker Hill?

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Checking for Understanding Critical Thinking Analyzing Visuals 1. Key Terms One of the following 4. Making Inferences What reasons 6. Chart Skills Review the cause- terms does not belong with the other might Loyalists have had to support and-effect chart on page 142. What three. Identify the term that does not Great Britain? event in 1763 was significant to the belong and explain why. Terms: mili- 5. Comparing Re-create the diagram independence movement? tia, minutemen, Loyalist, Patriots. below and list the differing beliefs of 2. Reviewing Facts What decisions Patriots and Loyalists and those were made by the First Continental shared by both. Congress? Expressive Writing Write a one- act play in which a small group of Reviewing Themes ordinary men, women, and chil- 3. Groups and Institutions Why did Patriots Both Loyalists dren in a small town react to news the Continental Congress pass a res- of the Battle of Lexington. Remem- olution to form militias? ber that reactions varied from colony to colony and that not all colonists wanted independence from Great Britain.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 145 Critical Thinking

Distinguishing Fact From Opinion

Why Learn This Skill? Suppose a friend says, “Our school’s basket- ball team is awesome. That’s a fact.” Actually, it is not a fact; it is an opinion. Knowing how to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion can help you analyze the accuracy of political claims, advertisements, and many other kinds of statements.

Learning the Skill A fact answers a specific question such as: Paul Revere’s ride What happened? Who did it? When and where did it happen? Why did it happen? Statements of fact can Practicing the Skill be checked for accuracy and proven. Read each numbered statement below. Tell An opinion, on the other hand, expresses beliefs, whether each is a fact or an opinion, and explain feelings, and judgments. Although it may reflect how you arrived at your answer. someone’s thoughts, we cannot prove or disprove it. 1 Paul Revere rode to Lexington with the news that An opinion often begins with phrases such as I the British redcoats were coming. believe, I think, probably, it seems to me, or in my opinion. It often contains words such as might, 2 The redcoats were the most feared soldiers could, should, and ought and superlatives such as in the world at that time. best, worst, and greatest. Judgment words that 3 The Daughters of Liberty opposed the Tea Act express approval or disapproval—such as good, of 1773. bad, poor, and satisfactory—also usually indicate 4 an opinion. The Boston Tea Party raiders should have sunk To distinguish between facts and opinions, ask the tea ships. yourself these questions: 5 George III was a foolish king. • Does this statement give specific information about an event? • Can I check the accuracy of this statement? Applying the Skill • Does this statement express someone’s feelings, Distinguishing Fact from Opinion Analyze 10 beliefs, or judgment? advertisements. List at least three facts and three • Does it include phrases such as I believe, opinions presented in the ads. superlatives, or judgment words? Glencoe’s Skillbuilder Interactive Workbook CD-ROM, Level 1, provides instruction and practice in key social studies skills.

146 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence Moving Toward Independence Guide to Reading

Main Idea Reading Strategy Read to Learn The Second Continental Congress Organizing Information As you read • what happened at the Second Con- voted to approve the Declaration of the section, re-create the diagram tinental Congress. Independence. below and describe the parts of the • why the colonists drafted the Decla- Declaration of Independence. ration of Independence. Key Terms petition, preamble Section Theme Government and Democracy The Parts of the Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence declared the colonies free and independent.

Preview of Events ✦1775 ✦1776 ✦1777 May 10, 1775 1775 March 1776 , 1776 Second Continental The Congress sends Olive George Washington takes Declaration of Congress meets Branch Petition to George III Boston from the British Independence is approved

In June 1776, delegates to the Second Continental Congress came to a momentous decision. They agreed to have a committee draw up a document declaring America’s independence from Great Britain. The committee included , John Adams, , , and Robert Livingston. Jefferson later recalled that “[the committee members] unanimously pressed on myself along to undertake [the writing]. I consented . . .” On July 4, 1776, one of the world’s most important political documents was adopted. In it Americans made a commitment as Lincoln later stated in the Gettysburg Address, “to the proposition that all men are created equal.” In the twentieth century, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, called the Declaration of Independence a “landmark in human freedom.” Adams and Jefferson Colonial Leaders Emerge On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress assembled for the first time. Despite the fighting at Lexington and Concord, many members of Con- gress were not yet prepared to break away from Great Britain.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 147 The Second Continental Congress acted as a central government for the colonies.

The delegates to the Second Continental Con- John Hancock of Massachusetts, 38 years old, gress included some of the greatest political lead- was a wealthy merchant. He funded many ers in America. Among those attending were Patriot groups, including the Sons of Liberty. John and Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard The delegates chose Hancock as president of the Henry Lee, and George Washington—all dele- Second Continental Congress. gates to the First Continental Congress held in Thomas Jefferson, only 32 when the Congress 1774. Several distinguished new delegates came began, had already acquired a reputation as a as well. brilliant thinker and writer. As a member of the Benjamin Franklin, one of the most accom- Virginia House of Burgesses, Jefferson had plished and respected men in the colonies, had become associated with the movement toward been an influential member of the independence. legislature. In 1765, during the Stamp Act Crisis, The Second Continental Congress began to he represented the colonies in London and govern the colonies. It authorized the printing of helped secure the repeal of the act. money and set up a post office with Franklin in charge. It established committees to communi- cate with Native Americans and with other countries. Most important, the Congress created the to fight against Britain in a more organized way than the colonial militias America’s Flags could. On John Adams’s recommendation, the Congress unanimously chose George Washing- ton to be the army’s commander. Continental Colors, 1775–1777 The Continental Colors, or Grand Union flag, was the first to represent all the After Washington left to take charge of the colonies. Its 13 stripes stood colonial forces in Boston, the delegates offered for the . The Britain one last chance to avoid all-out war. In crosses represented the British July the Congress sent a petition, or formal flag and symbolized the request, to George III. Called the Olive Branch colonists’ loyalty to Great Petition, it assured the king of the colonists’ Britain at that time. desire for peace. It asked the king to protect the

148 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence colonists’ rights, which Parliament seemed By March 1776, Wash- HISTORY determined to destroy. George III refused to ington judged the Conti- receive the . Instead he nental Army ready to Student Web Activity prepared for war, hiring more than 30,000 Ger- fight. He positioned the Visit tarvol1.glencoe.com man troops to send to America and fight beside army in a semicircle and click on Chapter 5— British troops. around Boston and gave Student Web Activities for an activity on the Dec- the order for its laration of Independence. The Colonies Take the Offensive to bombard the British Meanwhile the Congress learned that British forces. The redcoats, troops stationed in what is now were under Sir William Howe, hurriedly withdrew planning to invade New York. The Americans from the city and boarded their ships. On decided to strike first. Marching north from Washington led his jubilant troops Fort Ticonderoga, a Patriot force captured into Boston. The British troops sailed to Halifax, in November. An American attack on . Quebec led by failed, how- ever. The American forces stayed outside the Moving Toward Independence city of Quebec through the long winter and Throughout the colonies in late 1775 and early returned to Fort Ticonderoga in 1776. 1776, some Americans still hoped to avoid a com- Washington reached Boston in July 1775, a plete break with Britain. Support for the position few weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill. He of absolute independence was growing, however. found the members of the militia growing in In 1776, published a number every day, but he realized they lacked pamphlet called that captured discipline, organization, and leadership. He the attention of the American colonists. In bold began the hard work of shaping these armed language, Paine called for complete independ- civilians into an army. ence from Britain. He argued that it was simply

Born into a comfort- revolution as it devel- Ladies, and be more gener- able Massachusetts oped. She also shared ous and favorable to them household, Abigail Smith her hopes for the new than your ancestors.” spent her youth reading nation. Their correspondence and studying. At age 19 As Congress consid- during the times they she married 28-year-old ered a declaration of inde- spent apart showed a lawyer John Adams, who pendence, she teasingly thoughtful exchange of became a leader in the —but seriously—wrote ideas and a strong independence movement. to her husband: respect for one another. Through her letters to “I long to hear that would family and friends, Abi- you have declared an inde- later become the second gail left us a record of pendency . . . I desire of the new nation’s first her thoughts about the you would Remember the ladies.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 149 “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States . . . and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” The Congress debated the resolution. Some delegates still thought the colonies were not ready to form a separate nation. Others argued that war already had begun and a large portion of the American population wanted to separate from Great Britain. Still others feared Great Britain’s power to hold down the rebellion. While the delegates debated the issue, the Congress chose a committee to draft a Declara- tion of Independence. Jefferson was selected to write the document. Jefferson drew on the History ideas of thinkers such as English philosopher Thomas Jefferson prepared the draft of the Declara- to set out the colonies’ reasons for tion, while Benjamin Franklin and John Adams made proclaiming their freedom. Locke wrote that suggestions. Why is , 1776, a historic day? people were born with certain natural rights to life, liberty, and property; that people formed governments to protect these rights; and that a “common sense” to stop following the “royal government interfering with these rights might brute,” King George III. Paine told the colonists rightfully be overthrown. their cause was not just a squabble over taxes On July 2, 1776, the Congress finally voted on but a struggle for freedom—“in a great measure Lee’s resolution for independence. Twelve the cause of all mankind.” Common Sense colonies voted for it. New York did not vote but later announced its support. Next the delegates inspired thousands of Americans. ; (See page 596 of took up Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of the Primary Sources Library for another excerpt from Common Sense.) Independence. After making some changes, Explaining Why was Thomas Paine they approved the document on July 4, 1776. important to the independence movement? John Hancock, the president of the Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Indepen- dence. Hancock remarked that he wrote his name large enough for King George to read it The Colonies Declare without his glasses. Hancock’s bold signature Independence stands out on the original document. Eventually At the Second Continental Congress in 56 delegates signed the paper announcing the birth of the . Philadelphia, the meeting hall was filled with Copies of the Declaration went out to the spirited debate. One central issue occupied the newly declared states. Washington had it read delegates: Should the colonies declare them- to his troops on . In New York American selves an independent nation, or should they soldiers tore down a statue of George III in cel- stay under British rule? ebration. In Worcester, Massachusetts, the read- In April 1776, instructed its ing of the Declaration of Independence was delegates to support independence. On followed by “repeated huzzas [cheers], firing of Virginia’s Richard Henry Lee proposed a bold musketry and , bonfires, and other resolution: demonstrations of joy.”

150 CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence The Declaration of Independence The Declaration has four major sections. The preamble, or introduction, states that people who wish to form a new country should explain their reasons for doing so. The next two sections list Independence Day the rights the colonists believed they should have Congress voted for independence on July 4, 1776. and their complaints against Britain. The final Actually, Congress voted for independence on July 2, section proclaims the existence of the new nation. 1776. Why, then, is Independence Day celebrated on the The Declaration of Independence states what fourth? On that day the delegates voted to accept Jeffer- Jefferson and many Americans thought were son’s statement, the Declaration of Independence, as universal principles. It begins with a description the reason why they had voted for independence two of traditional English political rights. days earlier.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that “ consent.” Americans, the Declaration says, had all men are created equal, that they are “Petitioned for Redress” of these grievances. endowed by their Creator with certain unalien- These petitions, however, were ignored or able Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, rejected by Britain. and the pursuit of Happiness. The Declaration ends by announcing Amer- ” ica’s new status. Now pledging “to each other The Declaration states that government exists our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor,” to protect these rights. If it does not, it goes on to the Americans declared themselves a new nation. state that “it is the Right of the People to alter or The struggle for American independence—the to abolish it and to institute new Government.” American Revolution—had begun. ; (See pages The Declaration goes on to list the many 154–157 for the entire text of the Declaration of Independence.) grievances Americans held against the king and Parliament. The crimes of George III included Summarizing What grievances “cutting off our trade with all parts of the against King George III were included in the Declaration of world” and “imposing taxes on us without our Independence?

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Checking for Understanding Critical Thinking Analyzing Visuals 1. Key Terms Connect the terms below 4. Analyzing Primary Sources Based 6. Picturing History Compare the flag with the proper document. Then write on the quote from the Declaration of on page 148 with the flag on page a sentence in which you use each Independence on this page, what are 128. How are the two flags similar? term. Terms: petition, preamble. the “unalienable Rights” to which How are they different? Which of the Documents: Declaration of Indepen- Jefferson referred? Give examples. flags more closely resembles the dence, Olive Branch Petition 5. Organizing Information Re-create American flag of today? 2. Reviewing Facts What was King the diagram below and describe each George III’s response to the Olive individual’s role in the movement Branch Petition? toward independence. Reviewing Themes Role Expository Writing Prepare a 3. Government and Democracy Why Thomas Jefferson help-wanted ad to locate a person was the Second Continental Congress Thomas Paine qualified to write the Declaration more like a government than the First Samuel Adams of Independence. Describe the Continental Congress? Benjamin Franklin responsibilities of the job as well as the experience and character traits that are needed.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 151 GEOGRAPHY&HISTORY EVE OF The Continental Army was organized REVOLUTION in May 1775. IN THE EARLY 1770s most colonists thought of them- selves as British subjects. However, they also thought of themselves as Virginians or Georgians or New Yorkers. It wasn’t until colonists began to unite in opposition to harsh British policies that they began to consider them- selves Americans. STIRRINGS OF REVOLT

In 1772 Samuel Adams convinced a group of Bostonians to join a Committee of Correspondence to communicate with other towns in Massachusetts. Soon, the idea spread. In colony after colony, Ameri- cans joined Committees of Correspondence. In this era before radios or telephones, the committees spread opposition to British policies into nearly every county, town, and city. In 1774 delegates gathered at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to form an organization to represent their interests as Americans. In addition to stating their griev- Camden ances and voting to boycott British products, the Patriots Augusta decided to organize their own militias. GEORGIA THE SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD Wilmington Georgetown The Revolution’s first blow fell early on the morning of Savannah Charles Town April 19, 1775. British redcoats clashed with colonial min- utemen at Lexington and Concord. This clash, later called the “shot heard ’round the world,” was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Bunker Hill in June showed that the war would be hard, long, and expensive St. Augustine on both sides. American Revolution Proclamation Line of 1763

Post road LEARNING from GEOGRAPHY British fort or post

1. How do you think the geography of the colonies Conflict made communication difficult? Scale varies in this perspective 2. Near what cities did the early battles take place?

152 Battle of Concord

The British Army occupied more than 70

forts and posts in North America when Quebec the American Revolution began. Montreal

Ft. Crown Point Ft. Ticonderoga NEW YORK (District of Massachusetts) Saratoga S Albany N Bennington I NEW T A N Deerfield HAMPSHIRE U O Falmouth M PENNSYLVANIA MASSACHUSETTS N A Concord H I White A C Morristown Plains CONNECTICUT Lexington L New Haven Boston P A Princeton A P Baltimore RHODE Washington/ Philadelphia Trenton ISLAND Alexandria Newport Annapolis VIRGINIA DELAWARE Richmond Warrenton

Jamestown/ Williamsburg Bunker NORTH CAROLINA Post riders and Patriots carried mail along Hill routes called post roads. From New York City, a rider could travel to Charles Town, Charlestown Bath South Carolina, in 16 days or less, to New Bern Williamsburg in 4 to 8 days, or to Boston in one day. r e v i Mill Pond R s l e Boston r The h a Massacre N C A Harbor N E C N Common W O I C W E Boston T Tea Party E A N S T L S A 0 1/2 mile

0 1/2 kilometer

153 In Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, What It Means [Preamble] The Preamble The Declaration When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one of Independence has four parts. The Preamble explains why the people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with Continental Congress drew up another, and to assume among the Powers of the , the separate and the Declaration. equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they impel force should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

What It Means [Declaration of Natural Rights] Natural Rights The second part, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, the Declaration of Natural Rights, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, lists the rights of the citizens. that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. It goes on to explain that, in a republic, people form a gov- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, ernment to protect their rights. deriving their just powers from the , The Declaration refers to these That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these rights as unalienable rights. The ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute word unalienable means non- new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing transferable. An unalienable right its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their is a right that cannot be sur- Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments rendered. long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to endowed provided suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to despotism unlimited power reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. What It Means [List of Grievances] List of Grievances The third Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now part of the Declaration lists the the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Gov- colonists’ complaints against the British government. Notice that ernment. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of King George III is singled out for repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establish- blame. ment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. usurpations unjust uses of power He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

154 154 The Declaration of Independence He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and press- ing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large dis- tricts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Repre- relinquish give up sentation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable inestimable priceless to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfort- able, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, annihilation destruction have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. convulsions violent disturbances He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to Naturalization of Foreigners process pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions by which foreign-born persons of new Appropriations of Lands. become citizens He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their tenure term offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

155 The Declaration of Independence 155 He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislature. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended legislation: quartering lodging For quartering large bodies of troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its render make Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislature, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. abdicated given up He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protec- tion and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with perfidy violation of trust circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most bar- barous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. insurrections rebellions He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeav- oured to bring on the inhabitants of our , the merciless Indian Sav- ages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. petitioned for redress asked In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in formally for a correction of the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only wrongs by repeated injury. A , whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free People. Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the cir- unjustified authority cumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have consanguinity originating from been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, the same ancestor acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

156 The Declaration of Independence [Resolution of Independence What It Means by the United States] Resolution of Independence The final section declares that We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in the colonies are “Free and General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the Independent States” with the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Author- full power to make war, to form ity of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, alliances, and to trade with That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Inde- other countries. pendent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of rectitude rightness Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Pro- tection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

John Hancock Pennsylvania Massachusetts What It Means President from Robert Morris Samuel Adams Signers of the Declaration The Massachusetts John Adams signers, as representatives of the Benjamin Franklin American people, declared the Georgia John Morton Elbridge Gerry colonies independent from Great George Clymer Britain. Most members signed Lyman Hall James Smith the document on , 1776. George Walton Stephen Hopkins George Taylor William Ellery North Carolina James Wilson George Ross Connecticut Samuel Huntington Delaware John Penn William Williams Oliver Wolcott South Carolina George Read Roger Sherman Thomas McKean Thomas Heyward, Jr. New York Thomas Lynch, Jr. Arthur Middleton Maryland Francis Lewis Lewis Morris New Jersey Thomas Stone Richard Stockton Charles Carroll of Carrollton Francis Hopkinson Virginia John Hart Abraham Clark Richard Henry Lee New Hampshire Thomas Jefferson Josiah Bartlett Benjamin Harrison William Whipple Thomas Nelson, Jr. Matthew Thornton

The Declaration of Independence 157 Reviewing Key Terms Write five true and four false statements using the terms below. Use only one term in each statement. Indicate which statements are true and which are false. Below each Road to Independence false statement explain why it is false. Follow the arrows to review the causes and the effects 1. revenue 4. propaganda 7. Patriot that led to the colonies declaring independence. 2. boycott 5. militia 8. preamble 3. repeal 6. minutemen 9. unalienable Cause: French and Indian War leaves Great Britain in rights debt Reviewing Key Facts Effect: Britain taxes colonies; Parliament passes Sugar 10. What did the British do to keep colonists from moving Act and Stamp Act Becomes Cause westward? 11. How did the British government use the colonies to raise revenue? Why did this anger the colonists? Effect: Colonists boycott British goods Becomes 12. What incident caused the British Parliament to pass Cause the Coercive Acts? 13. What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress? 14. How did the events of 1776 move the colonists closer to Effect: British send troops to Boston, resulting in the self-government? Boston Massacre Becomes Cause 15. According to the Declaration of Independence, if a gov- ernment does not protect the basic rights of the people it governs, what do people have the right to do? Effect: British repeal import taxes 16. Identify the four sections of the Declaration of Becomes Cause Independence.

Effect: Colonists respond with Boston Tea Party Critical Thinking Becomes Cause 17. Drawing Conclusions Why did the colonists think that the Stamp Act ignored the colonial tradition of self-government? Effect: Parliament passes the Coercive Acts 18. Organizing Information Re-create the diagram below Becomes Cause and show ways the colonists, by working in groups, resisted the British during the revolutionary period.

Effect: First Continental Congress drafts a statement of grievances Becomes Cause Group action by colonists

Effect: British troops fight colonists at battles of Lexing- ton and Concord; British defeat colonial forces at Bunker Hill 19. Analyzing Primary Sources What did Patrick Henry mean when he said, “I am not a Virginian, but an American”? Congress signs Declaration of Independence 20. Analyzing Information According to the Declaration of Independence, what are the three basic freedoms 158 to which every person is entitled? HISTORY

Self-Check Quiz Visit tarvol1.glencoe.com and click on Chapter 5— Practicing Skills Self-Check Quizzes to prepare for the chapter test. Distinguishing Fact From Opinion Read the following state- ments. Tell whether each is a fact or an opinion. 21. Great Britain should not have tried to stop the colonists Economics Activity from settling west of the Appalachians. 31. How did laws passed by the British after 1763 affect 22. The Stamp Act placed a tax on almost all printed material American trade and industry? Write your answer in a in the colonies. one-page paper. 23. The Daughters of Liberty urged Americans to wear home- made fabrics. 24. Thomas Jefferson was a better writer than John Adams. Alternative Assessment 32. Persuasive Writing What do you think a good citizen is? Is it someone who follows the law? Or might it be some- Geography and History Activity one who breaks the law in order to stand up for an ideal? Do you think that people like the Sons of Liberty acted Study the map on page 133; then answer the following as good citizens? Write a persuasive paper explaining questions. your views. 25. What bodies of water did the Proclamation of 1763 pre- vent colonists from reaching? 26. What nation claimed the land west of the River? 27. The land west of the Appalachian Mountains became part Standardized of what province? Test Practice 28. What natural feature was cited in the Proclamation of Read the following passage and choose the best 1763 as an approximate boundary? answer to the question that follows.

An English philosopher named John Locke wrote Citizenship Cooperative Activity about his belief that people had natural rights. 29. Work with a group of classmates to create your own These included the right to life, liberty, and prop- “Declaration of Independence.” Use the original Declara- erty. In Two Treatises of Government, Locke wrote tion of Independence on pages 154–157 as a guide to that people Standardizedcreated government to protect natural create your document. Outline the basic freedoms that rights. If a governmentTest Practice failed in its basic duty of pro- you expect to have as a citizen and describe why these tecting natural rights, people had the right to over- freedoms are important to you. Then write at least three throw the Directions:government. Choose the best responsibilities and/or sacrifices that citizens should be Locke’sanswer ideas contributed to the following to the question. willing to make to enjoy the freedoms you listed. After your group has completed its Declaration of Indepen- A Proclamation of 1763. dence, have the groups come together as a class. Share B Intolerable Acts. all the groups’ documents and compare the ideas C Declaration of Independence. expressed in each. D Articles of Confederation.

Technology Activity Test-Taking Tip: 30. Using the Internet On the Internet, locate the computer Look for clues in the passage to support your answer. address for the National Archives or the Library of Con- For example, the passage refers to life, liberty and gress in Washington, D.C. Search each site for documents property. It also states that people had the right to concerning the drafting of the Declaration of Indepen- overthrow the government. Which answer does dence and/or photos of pamphlets produced by the this information best support? colonies in the . Print a copy of what you find or sketch a likeness to share with the class.

CHAPTER 5 Road to Independence 159

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