Declaring Independence

United States History

Battles of Lexington and Concord

• First battles of the American Revolution• Small towns outside of Boston, Massachusetts• Redcoats (British) come to seize weapons from

colonists.• Colonists are tipped off by Paul Revere. • Patriot causalities are light; redcoats retreat to

Boston.• Official start of the war– “Shot Heard Round the World”

Patriot Soldier Redcoat (British Soldier)

Loyalists vs. Patriots

• Not all colonists wanted independence.• Olive Branch Petition– Colonists are loyal to King George III, but not to

parliament.– King rejects petition, sends more troops.

• Loyalists (20%) wanted to stay loyal to England.– Opposed taxes, but did not support Revolution.– Did not agree with Patriot policies

• Patriots wanted independence.

Cartoon by Benjamin Franklin

Philosophical Foundations of the Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Paine– English immigrant– The real T-Paine

• Wrote Common Sense (pamphlet)– 150,000+ copies produced– Argued for independence

from Britain and unity between 13 colonies.

– The “common man” should have as much opportunity as a king.

The Declaration on Independence

• Influence by Common Sense

• Written July 2nd- July 4th, 1776.

• Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson.– List of grievances– “All Men are Created Equal”– “Life, Liberty, Pursuit of

Happiness.”

• Independence declared, but not yet achieved!

Jefferson