Uniting For Independence

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Uniting For Independence

• 2-2

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Are You Aware?

• John Hancock (Mass), the president of the
  Continental Congress, was the first person to
  sign the Declaration of Independence. When he
  did, he wrote his name in very large letters,
  declaring, There! I guess King George will be
  able to read that!) Even today, Americans often
  refer to a persons signature as a John
  Hancock.
• As a follow-up to this story, King George III
  appeared on Jerry Springer to try and work it
  out with John. But it was determined that John
  was, in fact, not the father of Georges baby.

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I. The Colonies on Their Ownp. 42-43

• Although Britain regarded the American colonies
  largely as a source of economic benefits, it
  allowed them limited self-government (give em
  an inch)
• The British government tightened its control over
  the colonies after the French and Indian War (7
  Years War lasted 9 years)
• King George III (Farmer George) and his ministers
  made the colonies help pay for the war by levying
  new taxes on the colonists.
• Why did the British government allow its American
  colonies to develop representative governments?

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II. Colonial Unityp. 44-45

• Harsh British policies and taxes helped unite the
  colonies.
• To protest British policies, the colonists sent
  petitions to the king and also organized
  committees of correspondence.
• The First Continental Congress held in
  Philadelphia in 1774 debated what the colonies
  should do about their relationship with Britain.
• When the Second Continental Congress met in 1775,
  fighting had begun and Congress acted as a
  central government to carry on the Revolution
  (albeit a weak one).

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III. Independencep. 45-47

• Thomas Paines Common Sense strengthened the
  independence movement.
• A committee of delegates to the Philadelphia
  Congress, headed by Thomas Jefferson, drafted the
  Declaration of Independence.
• The Declaration set forth the principles for a
  new nation.
• The Declaration had three parts
• Statement of Purpose including a description of
  basic human rights
• List of specific complaints aimed at King
  George III
• Statement of the colonists determination to
  separate from Great Britain.

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• By the end of 1776, 10 states had adopted written
  constitutions, which were based on the consent of
  the governed, limited government, and the
  protection of individual rights.
• Why did Jeffersons words in the Declaration of
  Independence stir the hearts of the American
  people (is this question biased)?