Bell Ringer: The Declaration of Independence states people have the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. What does this mean to you?

Bell Ringer: The Declaration of Independence states people have the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. What does this mean to you?

Declaring Independence Road to Revolution

One American s Story The Sun s o ercast with blood; fair day, adieu! Which is the side that I must go withal? I am with both; each army hath a hand; And in their rage, I having hold of both, They whirl asunder and dismember me Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose. Assured loss, before the match be played. -Margaret Kemble Gage

The Siege of Boston British soldiers retreated to Boston for safety 15,000 militia men surrounded the town and put Boston under siege

Ethan Allen & Green Mountain Boys Americans Plan: place cannons on hills overlooking Boston May 10, 1775: Americans attack Fort Ticonderoga Ethan Allen: leader of a Patriot group of fighters known as the Green Mountain boys

Second Continental Congress Formed Second Continental Congress: America s government during the Revolutionary War John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Patrick Henry

Continental Army is Formed Continental Army: America s Patriot Army during the Revolutionary War George Washington was chosen as commanding general

Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775: Militiamen were positioned on Breed s Hill and Bunker Hill Alarmed, the British decided to attack Don t fire until you see the whites of their eyes. -Colonel William Prescott

Battle of Bunker Hill Redcoats won the battle, but at tremendous costs: More than 1000 British casualties: the loss we have sustained is greater than we can bear. -General Thomas Gage The inexperienced colonial militia held its own against the world s most powerful army

Summarizing Question What events led to the Battle of Bunker Hill? After the fighting at Lexington and Concord, British troops occupied Boston. The Continental Army took Breeds Hill to force the British to leave the town

Primary Source Abigail Adam s Letter to John Adams Answer the questions with a partner

Olive Branch Petition Most colonists still considered themselves loyal subjects Olive Branch Petition: asked the king to restore harmony Last hope for peace

Olive Branch Petition The King rejected the petitions and passed further restrictions to punish colonists When once these rebels have felt a smart blow, they will submit. -King George The Colonists thought they could defeat the British

Washington Arrives Washington immediately starts training his troops Plan: Invade Quebec, defeat the British, and draw Canadians into cause Benedict Arnold was one of the leaders who was defeated after several months

The British Retreat In Massachusetts, colonists continued its siege of Boston Led by Henry Knox, it took soldiers two months to position the cannons on hills Washington placed the cannons on Dorchester Heights.

Summarizing Question Why were the British forced to leave Boston? Washington trapped the British in Boston by placing cannons captured from Fort Ticonderoga on Dorchester Heights. Rather than fight, the British agreed to leave Boston peacefully.

Rebellion Becomes a Revolution Common Sense: time to fight for independence Thomas Paine: political radical and the author of common sense America should follow its own destiny

A Time for Decision Each colony was to establish its own government Free and independent states all political connections between them and Britain is totally dissolved.

Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence: document that declared American independence from Britain Thomas Jefferson: delegate from Virginia who wrote the Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776: Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence John Hancock was the first to sign Based on John Lock: people have unalienable rights that the government can t take away

Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be selfevident, 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.

Declaration of Independence Explained reasons for breaking with Britain Declared colonies independent states We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortune, and our sacred Honor.

Summarizing Question What ideas can be found in the Declaration of Independence? That every person has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. People can abolish the government by force if it violates these rights.