Lesson 5: Declaration of Independene

British Pass New Laws:

Laws add new taxes and control trade

Colonists have no voice on new laws and have to abide by them regardless.

12 Representatives were called to a meeting in Philadelphia - First Continental Congress

1775 - British sent to subjugate a group of "rebels" - A shot was fired igniting the conflict, and causing the beginning of the American Revolution.

1776 - Second Continental Congress was called and there Thomas Jefferson was asked to draft the Declaration of Independence from Britain.

The Declaration has 3 main parts

1. Basic ideas about people and government

2. Reasons why the Founders thought they had the right to be free from British rule

3. Complaints against the British king

1/3 - Patriots

1/3 - Loyalists

They wanted Independence

1/3 - undecided

Did not want independence

Many Loyalists were large landowners or wealthy merchants. Many thought their businesses would be affected negatively.

Other Loyalists had been appointed to their jobs by the king. If the colonies became independent, they would lose their jobs.

Many Loyalists joined the British army and fought for the king. Some Loyalists moved back to Great Britain. Others went to Canada or to the West Indies.

Even if the Loyalists did not like British taxes and other limits on their freedom, they did not think that breaking with Great Britain was the way to solve those problems.