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2^nd Continental Congress �May 10, 1775

Met to talk about unscheduled war

Governed colonies
Communication with Native Americans and other countries
Printed $
Established post office
Formed Continental Army – GW in charge
Sent Olive Branch Petition
Approved Declaration of Independence

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Olive Branch Petition�July 8, 1775

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King George III’s reaction

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Common Sense �January 1776

Motivated the colonists to declare independence – it was just Common Sense.

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http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30138-assignment-discovery-thomas-paine-and-common-sense-video.htm

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Colonists demand independence

June 7, 1776 Richard lee of Virginia introduced a daring resolution to Congress

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Congress needed time to think

Appointed a committee of five to write a declaration, “setting forth the causes which impelled us to take this mighty resolution.”

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Writing the Declaration

When asked to write the Declaration, Jefferson said Adams should do it, but Adams explained why Jefferson should.

The main purpose of America's Declaration of Independence was to explain to foreign nations why the colonies had chosen to separate themselves from Great Britain. The Revolutionary War had already begun, and several major battles had already taken place. The American colonies had already cut most major ties to England, and had established their own congress, currency, army, and post office. On June 7, 1776, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Richard Henry Lee voiced a resolution that the United States ought to be completely free of England's influence, and that all political ties between the two countries should be dissolved. Congress agreed and began plans to publish a formal declaration of independence and appointed a committee of five members to draft the declaration.

Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft the letter - which he did in a single day. Four other members, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were part of the committee to help Jefferson. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson explained that a body of people have a right to change governments if that government becomes oppressive (unfair and controlling). He further explained that governments fail when they no longer have the consent of the governed. Since Parliament clearly lacked the consent of the American colonists to govern them, it was no longer legitimate.

The Declaration was presented to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was approved with a few minor changes. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, of Massachusetts was the first.

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Jefferson was a GREAT choice!

http://www.history.com/videos/jefferson-writes-declaration-of-independence#jefferson-writes-declaration-of-independence

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July 4, 1776

Declaration of Independence was unanimously adopted by the Second Continental Congress

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2ust5r89s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-25VJWoabx4