Early Battles of Revolutionary War and 2nd Continental

Congress

Early Battless

• Battle of Lexington: April 19, 1775• Battle of Concord: April 19, 1775

2nd Continental Congress

When?

Where?

Why?

Problem?

.

Is anything decided here?

1. One Continental Army2. Commander-in-Chief of the army3. Supplies/Medicine4. Authorized printing of Colonial Dollars5. Authorized a committee to conduct foreign

relations

* Delegates set up the Continental Army, naming George Washington as commander.

Battle of Bunker Hill

• When? • Who?• Mistakes made?• Result?

Battle of Bunker Hill – video 3:53

• Occurred on Breeds Hill on June 17, 1775.

• The Patriots were short on gunpowder and were warned by Colonel William Prescott,

“Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!”

Battle in Quebec• When?• Why Quebec?• Result?• Significance?

Back to 2nd Continental Congress………

What’s going on?• Reconciliation• Olive Branch Petition

Olive Branch Petition

When?

What?

Result?

American signatures upon the Olive Branch Petition

What happened in next few months to convince colonists to independence necessary?

1. John Locke’s ideas:• Natural Rights• Obey government as long as…• If government violates this social contract,

……..overthrow!2. Support of Religion 3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

Common Sense

When?

What?

Message?

Effect?

Back to the 2nd Continental Congress…..What next?

March 1776 – Congress receives interesting news

Who wants independence?

Will there be a formal document?Who’s on the committee?

Declaration of Independence

Some of the highlights of the document itself:1. TJ drew on Locke and Paine, how?2. In what ways had England had taken away our

unalienable rights3. “All men created equal” – Really… ALL men?

• Making it official