8th Notes: Unit 3.5 I. The Second Continental Congress A. Distinguished Leaders 1. Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775 a. Delegates from colonies included great leaders. i. John and Samuel Adams; Patrick Henry; Richard Henry Lee; George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson. 2. Ben Franklin, most respected men in the colonies. a. Leader in Pennsylvania legislature. b. Went to London won repeal of Stamp Act. c. Put in charge of the post office 3. John Hancock, a wealthy merchant from Massachusetts. a. Gave money to help the Sons of Liberty and other Patriot groups. b. Chosen to be president of the Second Continental Congress. 4. Thomas Jefferson, only 32, served on Virginia legislature. a. Brilliant thinker and writer. b. Wrote the 1st draft of the Declaration of Independence. 5. George Washington a planter from Virginia. a. Delegate in First and Second Continental Congress d. Commander of the Continental Army B. Key Actions 1. Steps that the Second Continental Congress took a. Authorized the printing of money b. Set up the post office c. Formed committees to deal with relations with Native Americans and foreign countries. d. Created the Continental Army, made George Washington leader. 2. Delegates offered Britain a formal Olive Branch Petition to make peace. a. King of Britain rejected the petition. b. King prepared his troops for war. c. Hired more than 30,000 German troops to fight alongside British. a. German troops were called “Hessians” C. The War Heats Up 1. Congress learned of an attack by British to invade Canada. a. Unit of Patriots marched north of Fort Ticonderoga and captured Montreal. b. American attack on Quebec, led by Benedict Arnold, failed. 2. Washington reached Boston area in July 1775, after the Battle of Bunker Hill. a. Washington had militia surround Boston, where British had control, but it was difficult because colonial forces lacked discipline. b. Washington worked to turn civilians into soldiers. c. Washington needed weapons i. Dozen cannons, hauled 300 miles, from Fort Ticonderoga. ii. Surprised British, General William Howe withdrew his troops and boarded ships to leave Boston to Halifax, Nova Scotia. d. Washington moved American troops into Boston

8th Notes: Unit 3.5 D. Moving Toward Independence 1. Support for independence was growing. 2. Thomas Paine, writer who arrived from England in 1774. a. Wrote a pamphlet called, Common Sense in January 1776 i. Persuasive words giving reasons to separate from British rule. ii. Greatly influenced opinions throughout the colonies. II. Declaring Independence 1. June 1776, Virginia’s Richard Henry Lee made a resolution to be independent A. Writing the Declaration 1. Congress made a committee to write the declaration of independence. a. John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. b. Jefferson was asked to write the first draft. i. He used ideas from English philosopher, John Locke ii. He expressed Locke’s ideas of certain natural rights to life, liberty, and property. And people interfering with these rights could be overthrown. 2. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to support Lee’s resolution for independence. a. Twelve colonies, except New York, supported this resolution. i. New York later announced to support Lee’s resolution. 3. Delegates discussed and made changes to Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence. a. On July 4, 1776, Delegates approved the document and John Hancock signed first. i. Hancock said he wrote large enough for the King to see without having to use his glasses. b. 56 Delegates signed the document announcing the birth of the United States. i. Copies were made and sent out to people in the newly declared states. ii. Washington had the Declaration read to his troops in New York City on July 9, 1776. iii. In Worcester, Massachusetts, a public reading was made, followed by cheers, firing of muskets and cannons, bonfires and other demonstrations of joy. B. The Declaration of Independence 1. Declaration had four major sections: a. The Preamble – introduction to explain wish to form their own country. b. Two sections – to explain reasons for doing so. c. Two sections – to list the rights colonists believed that they should have and complaints against Great Britain. d. Final section – proclamation to the existence of the new nation. 2. John Adams wrote, “The Second Day of July 1776… ought to be solemnized With Pomp and Parade…etc.” a. July 4, 1776 date that delegates actually adopted the Declaration of 8th Notes: Unit 3.5 Independence, is celebrated as Independence Day. 3. Declaration states what were thought as universal principles that apply to all people in all situations, describing the basic English rights. 4. Government exists to protect these, if government fails, “It is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and to institute new Government.” i. Declaration lists grievance against the king and Parliament about trade and unfair taxes without consent. ii. Americans petitioned for Redress, but British ignored/rejected petitions. 5. Declaration announced America’s new status, pledging the Americans Declared themselves a new nation. The struggle for independence ---the American Revolution—had begun.