Road to Independence
What was the main goal of the First Continental Congress in 1774?
How was it different then the second continental congress?
To protect colonial rights and pressure Britain to change its policies, rather than immediately declare independence.
Second continental congress was to organize the war effort, appoint GW as commander in chief of continental army, and to send one last peace offer (still breaking up) (olive branch petition) to King George III
In what city did the First and Second Continental Congresses meet?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What is the first section of the Declaration of Independence called?
The Preamble (Introduction).
What economic system did Great Britain use to control colonial trade and increase the wealth of the mother country?
Mercantilism.
True or False: The First Continental Congress immediately voted to declare independence from Great Britain.
FALSE
What two battles in April 1775 marked the beginning of armed fighting between the colonists and British soldiers?
Lexington and Concord.
How many colonies attended the First Continental Congress in 1774? Who didn't attend?
12 of the 13 colonies (Georgia did not attend).
What three natural rights are specifically mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
What famous phrase did colonists use to protest British taxes when they had no elected representatives in Parliament?
"No taxation without representation."
What were colonists who supported independence from Great Britain called?
PATRIOTS
Who was appointed commander of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress?
George Washington.
What petition did the Second Continental Congress send to King George III in a final attempt to make peace?
The Olive Branch Petition.
What are the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Complaints against King George III and British rule.
What political idea states that a government receives its authority from the people and must protect their rights?
The Social Contract.
What were colonists who remained loyal to King George III and Great Britain called?
LOYALISTS
What famous pamphlet written by Thomas Paine encouraged colonists to support independence from Great Britain?
Common Sense.
Which delegate introduced the resolution calling for American independence in June 1776?
Richard Henry Lee.
What does the phrase "consent of the governed" mean?
A government's legitimate power comes from the people it governs.
According to the Declaration of Independence, what was one complaint colonists had about British soldiers being stationed in the colonies?
The king kept standing armies among the colonists during peacetime without the consent of their legislatures.
On what date did the Second Continental Congress vote in favor of independence, two days before adopting the Declaration?
July 2, 1776.
On what exact date did the Second Continental Congress officially adopt the Declaration of Independence? What day was the last day the last person signed the declaration?
July 4, 1776.
August 2, 1776
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence? Who else was apart of the committee of 5?
Thomas Jefferson (main author) Ben Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, Roger Shermon
Name the four major sections of the Declaration of Independence in order.
Preamble, Natural Rights, Grievances, and Declaring Independence.
According to the Declaration, what right do people have when their government repeatedly violates their natural rights?
The right to alter or abolish that government and establish a new one.
Why is it historically inaccurate to say that all delegates signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776?
July 4 was the date the Declaration was adopted. Most delegates signed the engrossed copy on August 2, 1776.