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Title: Declaring Independence Essential Question: What people and events contributed to the Second Continental Congress declaring independence?

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Second Continental Congress Meeting of delegates from all 13 colonies in Philadelphia that began in May 1775 Independence Hall

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Important delegates: John Hancock of Massachusetts President of the Second Continental Congress First and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence

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John Adams of Massachusetts Made influential speeches Helped convince delegates to declare independence Voice of the Revolution

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Wife = Abigail Their letters provide detailed descriptions of events of the Revolution 512 pages

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Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania Tried to negotiate a peaceful solution between Britain and the colonies Became a strong supporter of the Patriot cause

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Patrick Henry of Virginia Early supporter of independence Famous quotation: Give me liberty or give me death!

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Famous quotation: Give me liberty or give me death! Thomas Jefferson of Virginia 2 nd youngest delegate

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George Washington of Virginia Wealthy plantation owner Military experience from the French and Indian War

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Bunker Hill (June 1775) Hill that overlooks Boston Harbor Defended by Minutemen who were low on ammunition

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Famous quotation by Colonel William Prescott: Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.

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British victory Minutemen had to withdraw when they ran out of ammunition

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British suffered high casualties Over 1000 = 1/3 of their forces in Boston Proved that the colonists could fight

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Continental Army Name of the American army during the Revolutionary War Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander

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Henry Knox

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Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war John Dickinson

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Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war Rejected by the king

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Rejected by the King Thomas Paine Moved to Philadelphia from England in 1774 Wrote Common Sense (1776)

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Influential pamphlet Encouraged the colonies to declare independence Written in simple language Statue in his hometown (Thetford, England)

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Written in simple language Independence Committee of Five Appointed on June 11, 1776 Job was to draft a formal declaration of independence

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Members: Benjamin Franklin John Adams Robert Livingston Roger Sherman Thomas Jefferson

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Roger Sherman Thomas Jefferson Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, 1776 Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson Pen of the Revolution

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Written by Thomas Jefferson Pen of the Revolution Influenced by the ideas of John Locke

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Approved on July 4, 1776

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Began signing the Declaration on August 2, 1776