September 28, 2010

Essential Question: How did the American Revolution begin?

Objectives: Discuss the first engagements of British and American armies.

Analysis the Declaration of Independence and its impact on the Revolutionary War.

Key Terms: Second Continental Congress Fort Ticonderoga The Olive Branch Petition Battle of Bunker Hill Declaration of Independence

After Lexington and Concord….

-Well for starters, The Second Continental Congress gathered to discuss the next step after Lexington and Concord in Philadelphia May 1775.

What did they decide on?!?!?!

1. All 13 Colonies agreed that they should form an Continental Army

2. George Washington should lead this Army

3. Print paper money to pay for this Continental Army

Trying to Get the King to Listen!!

-Many of the colonists were still split between their loyalties to Great Britain and the want for the unfair taxation of the Colonies to end.

-Is it possible to avoid the war?!?!?

-The Second Continental Congress believed that war could still be avoided. Colonists who supported the

British were called Tories

What is a petition?

A written request to a government.

Turn to page 158 and read the Section “Petitioning the King”

What was the Olive Branch Petition?

It was a petition to the King declaring the colonists are loyal and want to stop fighting

When all else fails introduce the British to your “Gun

Show”

Fort Ticonderoga (May 10, 1775)-83 men from the Green Mountains in Vermont-42 British Soldiers-British surrender without firing a single shot

-Important because the Americans can use the cannons for the Army

Cedar Cliff vs. Lower Dauphin

4:00 Home

COLTS COLTS COLTS!!!!!

September 29, 2010

Essential Question: How did the American Revolution begin?

Objectives: Discuss the first engagements of British and American armies.

Analysis the Declaration of Independence and its impact on the Revolutionary War.

Key Terms: Declaration of IndependenceThomas PaineCommon SenseResolutionVirginia ResolutionGrievances

Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston

By June 1775, the British have about 6,000 soldiers in Boston.

This force was under the command of General William Howe.

There are 2 big hills Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill that over look the city and harbor and in the hands of an army can control Boston.

10,000 Americans (mostly Militia with little ammunition) occupy both Breed’s Hill and

Bunker Hill

“Don’t Fire till you see the whites of their eyes!”-Israel Putnam

The American’s turned back the British twice until they ran out of ammo. The Americans had to retreat

The British won but they lost 1,000 men either died or wounded.

The Americans lost only 400 men but were pushed of the hill and out of Boston.

More important, Americans will stand and fight!!

The Result

Thomas Paine and Common SensePublished January 1776

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) racist

Pro Revolutionary supporter

Wanted to encourage more support for the Revolutionary Cause among the Continental Congress and the Colonists.

Wrote the 50 page pamphlet Common Sense

-The pamphlet cried for complete independence from Great Britain.

-Called King George III a “Royal Brute”

-Over 500,000 copies were sold from January to July of 1776.

From Virginia to Declaration

Virginia Resolution- was inspired by Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and was a formal statement from Virginia declaring that “United Colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent States.

-It was introduced by Richard Henry Lee

-The Continental Congress elected Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin to draft a formal statement to send to Great Britain

1776

Turn to Page 172

Read pages 172-173

Answer Questions 1-2 (A & B)

When you are finished hand into In Box and work on your Key Term List

Answer on the back on Thomas Paine Handout!

Might as well Come out and Say it….We want to be FREE!!!!!

JULY 4, 1776

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”