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Second Continental Congress
Each colony sets up its own government. Congress declares the colonies independent. Militia considered the continental Army, led by George Washington. Authorized printing of money. Create a committee to deal with foreign nations. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Gage sent out nearly 2,400 British troops. British began marching up Breed's Hill in their customary broad lines. The colonists began to shoot down the advancing redcoats. The surviving British troops made a second attack and a third by the time the smoke cleared the colonists lost 450 men British had lost 1,000 men the misnamed battle of bunker hill would prove to be the deadliest battle of the war. -
The Olive Branch Petition
trying for a former harmony between Britain and the colonies King George flatly rejected the petition. Furthermore, he issued a proclamation stating that the colonies were in rebellion and urged Parliament to order a naval blockade of the American coast. -
Common Sense
a 50-page pamphlet explaining Paine and his revolt against the king had begun with Lexington and Concord. Paine declared that the time had come for colonists to proclaim an independent republic. He argued that independence which was the American ''destiny'' would allow America to trade freely with other nations for guns and ammunition and win foreign aid from British enemies. Common Sense sold nearly 500,000 copies and was widely applauded -
Declaring Independence
Virginnia delegate Richard Henry Lee movede that ''these United Colonies are, and o a right ought to be, free and independent states'' -
Declaration of Independence
Drew on the concepts of the English philosopher John Locke, who maintained that people enjoy '' natural rights'' to life, liberty, and property. Jefferson described these rights as ''life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.''
