“A Nation Declares Independence” * * * * * * * * * * * * Focus Question: Why did many colonists favor declaring independence? 1 A Call for Independence Colonists Divided *Both Patriots and Loyalists were a minority at the start of 1776 (most colonists were neutral, or in the middle, with no strong feelings). *About 1/3 of the delegates at the Continental Congress supported independence. 2 Common Sense *Jan. 1776 ­ a 50­page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, stimulated strong support for independence and ridiculed the idea of rule by kings (Americans would be better off governing themselves). About 500,000 copies were sold. 3 Virginia’s Resolution *Virginia authorized its delegates to support independence in May 1776. *Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution (formal statement of opinion) that “the United Colonies are and ought to be free and independent states.” *Before voting on the resolution, Congress appointed a committee to draw up a statement listing the reasons for separation from Britain. 4 *The committee to draft the declaration was made up of Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston ~Thomas Jefferson was given the task of composing the declaration (statement) because he was an excellent writer and from Virginia. ~John Adams and Ben Franklin suggested only minor changes to Jefferson’s writing. The first painting that Trumbull completed shows the presentation of the Declaration of Independence in what is now called Independence Hall, Philadelphia. The painting features the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence — John Adams, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson (presenting the document), and Benjamin Franklin — standing before John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress. The painting includes portraits of 42 of the 56 signers and 5 other patriots. The artist sketched the individuals and the room from life. Look closely to see that John Adams is standing on Thomas Jefferson's foot This depiction can also be found on the back of the U.S. $2 bill. (Adams's foot has been moved off of Jefferson's in the engraving!) 5 The Declaration of Independence *Building on ideas from the Enlightenment, the Declaration uses logic to explain why the colonists wanted to break from English rule. Natural Rights *Preamble ­ introduction states that a “decent respect to the opinions of mankind” requires Americans explain why they are breaking from English rule. 6 Natural Rights *Section 1 ­ States general ideas about society and government. Ideas should be clear to everyone that all men are created equal. Everyone is born with unalienable rights (rights we are born with and cannot be taken away). Ideas based on natural rights from John Locke. Governments are created to protect people’s rights and if the government violates these rights, people have the right to abolish (remove) their government and start another. List of Grievances *Section 2 ­ Lists grievances (formal complaints) against King George III where he has violated colonists’ rights. (For example denial of the right to trial by jury and imposing taxes without our consent). Colonists had appealed to king with petitions asking for peace (ex. Olive Branch Petition) but king ignored them so he is an unfit ruler. Dissolving the Bonds *Section 3 ­ Since people have a right to abolish an unfair government and the king has violated the right of the colonists, document concludes that colonists are free now from British rule and have the power to make their own decisions apart from Britain. 7 Impact of the Declaration *On July 4, 1776 Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, which has since been celebrated as Independence Day. *The actual signing of the Declaration took place on August 2. Franklin: “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” *For those signing the Declaration, personal risk was great for they could be hanged. *Now the nature of the Revolution had changed, they were no longer fighting for better treatment; they were fighting for a new country! * “All men are created equal” still inspires Americans and people today. At the time, these words applied only to white, male property owners. *Jefferson initially abolished slavery in his original draft of the declaration, but it was removed in order to get approval from the other (mainly southern) colonies. 8 Removed from Jefferson's Draft?! "He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it's most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidels powers, is the warfare of the Christian king of Great Britain. He has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce determining to keep open a market where MEN should be bought and sold: and that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom he • also obtruded them: thus paying off former First Global Expression of crimes committed against the liberties of one Natural Rights people, with crimes which he urges them to • commit against the lives of another." Most Translated Document In The World 9 Review Questions 1. What proposal did Richard Henry Lee make to Congress? He proposed that they seek independence. 2. What does the Declaration of Independence say about people’s rights? It says everyone has certain inalienable rights. 3. How did the Declaration change the nature of the American Revolution? It changed the purpose from a fight for fairness to a fight to create a new country. 10 “A Critical Time” * * * * * * * * * * * * Focus Question: How were the early years of the war a critical time? Colonies have proclaimed independence. How did American fortunes shift on the battlefields? = write in notes 11 Retreat from New York *In mid­1776, heavy fighting shifted from New England to the Middle States. Write:June 1776 Howe(B) w/ 34,000 soldiers and 10,000 sailors + 20,000 poorly trained soldiers (P)= B. Victory at Staten Island, NY Attack and Retreat *June 1776 ­ as Continental Congress was considering independence, Sir William Howe, a British commander, gathered his forces of 34,000 troops and 10,000 sailors at Staten Island, NY. *Washington expected Howe’s attack, but his 20,000 poorly trained men were no match for Howe’s troops. *Washington was first driven out of Brooklyn, then out of NYC. They were pursued to NJ. 12 Nathan Hale *Nathan Hale, a CT officer, volunteered to spy and capture British battle plans. He was caught and hanged, but it was reported he said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Write: Nathan Hale= Patriot Spy= Killed by B. No official records were kept of Hale's speech. However, Frederick MacKensie, a British officer, wrote this diary entry for the day: He behaved with great composure and resolution, saying he thought it the duty of every good Officer, to obey any orders given him by his Commander­in­Chief; and desired the Spectators to be at all times prepared to meet death in whatever shape it might appear. 13 Surprises for the British *Continental Army kept retreating under British pursuit. *December ­ army pushed into Pennsylvania. *Patriot spirits low, many deserted army. *To raise morale, Thomas Paine wrote The Crisis, a pamphlet urging Americans to support their army, which Washington had read aloud to his troops. Crossing the Delaware *Christmas night, 1776 ­ Washington led his men across the Delaware River on small boats to attack Trenton, NJ. *Washington’s soldiers were so poorly supplied that they often had no shoes (tied rags to feet). *The soldiers in Trenton were hired mercenaries (soldiers who are paid to fight for a country other than there own). An American Victory *Hessians (German mercenaries fighting for British) had been sleeping off a Christmas celebration when Washington’s men surprised them and captured almost a thousand men, assuring a decisive victory for Patriots. *Washington’s men escaped the British by escaping during the night while their fires burned tricking the British into thinking they were still there. Patriots attacked British near Princeton. 14 “…one of the Greatest battles that Ever was fought in America…” Saratoga: A Turning Point Major Henry Dearborn *British General John Burgoyne plan ­ cutting New England off from the rest of the states. <Burgoyne An aerial shot of the battle field> The British Plan *Burgoyne’s attack near Albany, NY, came from three directions: ~From Canada ­ Burgoyne leads an army of 8,000 south to Lake Champlain, Lake George, and upper Hudson River. ~From the west ­ St. Leger‘s smaller force would move toward Albany through Mohawk Valley ~From the south ­ Howe would lead a large army north up Hudson River from NYC. *The plan failed. ~Howe was ordered to move further south by the king to try to capture Washington. ~Burgoyne took his time and rewarded his men with celebrations instead of driving forward ~St. Leger was tricked by a false piece of leaked information saying his troops would be outnumbered and retreated. An American Victory *Burgoyne’s troops encountered American troops near Saratoga, NY. American leaders Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates commanded the Americans. Arnold’s men attacked repeatedly near Freeman’s Farm inflicting heavy casualties on the British. Gates’ men attacked from behind earthen walls. *Eventually Burgoyne suffered too many casualties and was forced to retreat. <Gates Results of the Battle *The Battles of Saratoga had two consequences. 1 ­ Benedict Arnold= traitor/treason, recovering from wounds, was swayed to believe in the Loyalist cause by a woman caring for him who would become his wife.