Vocab
Patriot volunteers who were paid and trained to fight at a minute’s notice.
Minutemen
At the beginning of the American Revolution, British troops fought against_______________________
Militia and Minutemen
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to
declare independence from Britain
After Jefferson completed his draft of the Declaration of Independence, delegates
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
What was the King's purpose in taking away the colony's rights?
To establish tyranny over the states.
The state of having the same rights and privileges as others
Equality
The booklet Common Sense persuaded American colonists to
want independence
Colonists rang bells and lit bonfires for the Declaration because they were
Excited
Although Thomas Jefferson believed in equality for all, he still owned
Slaves
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
List three rights the Declaration says cannot be taken away.
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
The meeting of delegates from the American Colonies that began in Philadelphia in 1775.
2nd Continental Congress
Who wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense?"
Thomas Paine
Who was the first to sign the DOI?
John Hancock
Who was the main writer of the DOI?
Thomas Jefferson
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.
Where do governments get their power?
The People or the consent of the governed.
The group of leaders who helped establish the new American nation.
Founding Fathers
What were the Founding Fathers technically doing when they declared independence?
Committing treason.
The idea "All Men are Created Equal" only basically applied to who?
White men
During the course of his lifetime, Thomas Jefferson owned how many slaves?
600
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,...a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
What are the "political bands" referring to here?
Britain or the ties to the King and Britain.
The document that announced the American Colonies were breaking away from Great Britain and explained why
Declaration of Independence
The 3 most important tasks of the 2nd Continental Congress were
1. Establish a Continental Army and Navy.
2. Make George Washington the Commander of the Army.
3. Declare independence from Great Britain.
What is a militia?
A body of mostly untrained, part-time soldiers who did required military service and were available for full time duty when needed.
Thomas Jefferson believed in treating the Native Americans fairly, but he believed they should do what?
Adopt white culture and values.
(We) solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and that State of Great Britain, is and out to be totally dissolved.
When does the Declaration say the colonies would be independent?
Effective immediately.