Chapter 8Section 1 Notes
The Second Continental Congress
At its largest, the CONTINENTAL ARMY numbered about 15-20,000 SOLDIERS.
The CONTINENTAL ARMY lacked DISCIPLINE and TRAINING. However, its soldiers knew the countryside and how to survive in the wilderness. They also believed in their cause of freedom. In addition, GEORGE WASHINGTON was a brilliant military leader.
The British army numbered about 50,000 SOLDIERS. The soldiers were WELL TRAINED and EXPERIENCED.
The British troops, however, were unfamiliar with the American landscape. In addition, they had to fight an army that knew how to hide in the wilderness.
George Washington
Redcoat Soldier
Redcoat Soldiers
The Green Mountain Boys; The Battle of Bunker Hill
The colonist ETHAN ALLEN led a well-known group of rebels called the GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS. In May 1775, they seized a British outpost in New York and took a valuable supply of AMMUNITION for the colonists.
In June 1775, British and colonial forces clashed on BREED’S HILL outside Boston. More than 1,000 British were killed or wounded, while the colonists lost 400 men.
The battle became known as the BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. It was a moral victory for the Americans because the untrained militia had stood up to the British Army.
Ethan Allen
Green Mountain Boys
Battle of Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill Monument
Declaring Independence
The journalist THOMAS PAINE published Common Sense in January 1776. It described why THE COLONIES SHOULD BREAK FREE FROM BRITAIN. The work helped stir many colonists to action.
In June 1776, colonial delegate RICHARD HENRY LEE introduced a resolution to declare INDEPENDENCE from Great Britain. Supporters of the resolution asked THOMAS JEFFERSON to write a formal DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
On July 2, the Second Continental Congress adopted LEE’S resolution. Two days later on JULY 4, 1776, the delegates officially approved the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
Thomas Paine
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Independence Hall
Room inside Independence Hall
Writing the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
Declaring Independence (cont.)
The DECLARATION was based on the ideas of JOHN LOCKE. It explained that the government’s main duty was to protect THE PEOPLE’S RIGHTS. If the government fails at this duty, the people MAY OVERTHROW IT.
In the wake of the DECLARATION, the colonists became divided. LOYALISTS supported keeping ties with Great Britain. PATRIOTS favored separating from Great Britain.