Early in the American Revolution

Second Continental CongressMay 1775

• Met in Philadelphia to either: resist England or give in to her demands

• Met in the State House – later called Independence Hall

• John Hancock – elected President of the Second Continental Congress

• George Washington – chosen as commander of the Continental Army – made up of 20,000 men

• Olive Branch Petition – letter sent to the king – Congress wanted King George to repeal some of the acts and taxes

Ticonderoga/Crown Point• Ethan Allen –led the American forces• Green Mountain Boys – his troops in

Vermont• Forts were seized by Americans in Vermont

and artillery was sent to Boston• This artillery was sent to Boston and aimed

at the British. British General Howe fled to Canada with the Redcoats (7,000)

• King George III – King of England

• Hessians – German soldiers (30,000)

• Mercenaries – paid soldiers

• Colonists felt that the king was paying foreign soldiers to kill his own

Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)June 1775

• Americans built a fort on Breed’s Hill to protect Boston

• British troops charged up the hill and the colonists sent them back 2 times before they were eventually overtaken

• Proved colonists were dedicated to the war

• - the British lost 10% of their total troops

Bunker Hill

Separation from England• Thomas Paine wrote

pamphlet - “Common Sense”

• “Common Sense” – propaganda that stated that colonists should not be governed by a country (England) so far away (3,000 miles)

Declaration of Independence• Thomas Jefferson - wrote

the Declaration of Independence

• Declaration of Independence –

• A. all men are created equal

• B. all men are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• *Unalienable Rights*

Declaration of Independence

• Listed 27 grievances (complaints against the king)

• It declared the colonies free and independent from England.

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