Declaring Independence

Or How Nice Folks Finally Decided to Fight

• In 1775, the First Continental Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III

• But the Congress also ordered an attack on British troops in Quebec• Hoping the French in Quebec would join

the colonists

• King George was angry• He did not even look at the Olive

Branch Petition

• Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was also convincing the colonists to fight for independence

• It was decided that the time had come for independence• The Declaration of Independence was

issued on July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress

• The first part of the Declaration of Independence is the Preamble

• The second part states the rights of the people and the responsibilities of government to protect the people’s natural rights

• The third part list the colonists’ complaints or grievances against the British

The fourth part states that the colonies are free and independent states

• The British captured New York and used it as their headquarters during the war

• General Washington sent Nathan Hale to spy on the British in New York• He was captured and hanged

• Nathan Hale said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”• Nathan Hale was a great patriot

•Washington then moved his troops to White Plains• The British attacked•Washington had to move his troops

again

• Thomas Paine wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer solider and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

•Washington then crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day• He attacked Hessians or German

soldiers in Trenton • Hessians were employed by the

British• He was victorious

• The greatest American advantage was passion for liberty and freedom

• The passion for consent of the governed