4-2 Ideas Help Start a Revolution
The Second Continental Congress
May 1775 Second Continental Congress Met
o Mixed crowd (Moderate and a Military Radicals)
o John Adams suggested each colony should be independent with their own governments
o Recognized the militiamen in Boston as the Continental Army and appointed George
Washington (43) as the general.
The Battle of Bunker Hill
o British General Thomas Gage sent 2,400 redcoats out on June 17, 1775 to Breed’s Hill
north of Bunker Hill
o Colonists held their fire until the last minute and were winning until the 3rd attack when
they ran o
o ut of ammo
o British suffered over 1,000 casualties Colonists lost 311 men
o Deadliest battle of the war
The Olive Branch Treaty
o Most delegates and colonist felt loyal to King George III
 Sent him the olive Branch Petition – urged a return to “the former harmony”
between Britain and the colonies
 King said no and pushed for a blockaide
The Patriots Declare Independence
Common Sense
o Anonymous 47- page esasy published in pamphlet form where colonist Thomas Paine
attacked King George and the monarchy
o Declared time had come for colonies to become independent (destiny)
o Was widely read
Declaring Independence
o May 1776 North Carolina declared itself independent
 Virginians soon to follow
o Thomas Jefferson : Virginia lawyer who wrote the Declaration of Independence
 Drew on many concepts from John Locke (English philosopher during
Enlightenment)
Natural rights (unalienable rights) : life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
People willingly obey their government until tyranny occurs then they
have a right and duty to overthrow that government
Powers come from the people
o All men created equal
 Jefferson wanted to stop the slave trade, but colonies were not going to sign if
that was put in
 Did not mean women, African Americans, or native Americans
o Adopted on July 4, 1776
 Patriots – supporters of independence
Americans Choose Sides
Loyalists and Patriots
o Loyalists : loyal to the crown
 Many people didn’t want to get involved
 Many native Americans
 Some African Americans because were promised freedom
 Felt the crown would protect their rights more than a new government would
 Many switched to patriots before the war was over
o Patriots
 Made up half the population
 Farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, elected officials
Taking Sides
o War for independence and a civil war