Title: Declaring Independence Essential Question: What people
and events contributed to the Second Continental Congress declaring
independence?
Slide 2
Second Continental Congress Meeting of delegates from all 13
colonies in Philadelphia that began in May 1775 Independence
Hall
Slide 3
Important delegates: John Hancock of Massachusetts President of
the Second Continental Congress First and largest signature on the
Declaration of Independence
Slide 4
John Adams of Massachusetts Made influential speeches Helped
convince delegates to declare independence Voice of the
Revolution
Slide 5
Wife = Abigail Their letters provide detailed descriptions of
events of the Revolution 512 pages
Slide 6
Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania Tried to negotiate a peaceful
solution between Britain and the colonies Became a strong supporter
of the Patriot cause
Slide 7
Patrick Henry of Virginia Early supporter of independence
Famous quotation: Give me liberty or give me death!
Slide 8
Famous quotation: Give me liberty or give me death! Thomas
Jefferson of Virginia 2 nd youngest delegate
Slide 9
George Washington of Virginia Wealthy plantation owner Military
experience from the French and Indian War
Slide 10
Bunker Hill (June 1775) Hill that overlooks Boston Harbor
Defended by Minutemen who were low on ammunition
Slide 11
Famous quotation by Colonel William Prescott: Do not fire until
you see the whites of their eyes.
Slide 12
British victory Minutemen had to withdraw when they ran out of
ammunition
Slide 13
British suffered high casualties Over 1000 = 1/3 of their
forces in Boston Proved that the colonists could fight
Slide 14
Continental Army Name of the American army during the
Revolutionary War Continental Congress chose George Washington as
commander
Slide 15
Henry Knox
Slide 16
Continental Congress chose George Washington as commander Olive
Branch Petition (July 1775) Last attempt by the Second Continental
Congress to reconcile with England and avoid full-scale war John
Dickinson
Slide 17
Last attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile
with England and avoid full-scale war Rejected by the king
Slide 18
Rejected by the King Thomas Paine Moved to Philadelphia from
England in 1774 Wrote Common Sense (1776)
Slide 19
Influential pamphlet Encouraged the colonies to declare
independence Written in simple language Statue in his hometown
(Thetford, England)
Slide 20
Written in simple language Independence Committee of Five
Appointed on June 11, 1776 Job was to draft a formal declaration of
independence
Slide 21
Members: Benjamin Franklin John Adams Robert Livingston Roger
Sherman Thomas Jefferson
Slide 22
Roger Sherman Thomas Jefferson Second Continental Congress
voted to declare independence on July 2, 1776 Declaration of
Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson Pen of the Revolution
Slide 23
Written by Thomas Jefferson Pen of the Revolution Influenced by
the ideas of John Locke