Unit 1: A Country is Born; Lesson 2: Declaring Independence

Question 1

Battle of Bunker Hill Definition

Answer 1

costly victory for British troops over the patriots in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in the American Revolution on June 17, 1775

Question 2

Battles of Lexington and Concord Definition

Answer 2

in 1775, the conflicts between Massachusetts colonists and British soldiers that started the Revolutionary War

Question 3

Benjamin Franklin Definition

Answer 3

an author, inventor, and a statesman who helped persuade France to enter the Revolutionary War on the side of the Americans. He was actively involved in framing the Declaration of Independence.

Question 4

Common Sense Definition

Answer 4

a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that argued for independence from Great Britain

Question 5

Declaration of Independence Definition

Answer 5

a 1776 document stating that the 13 English colonies were a free and independent nation

Question 6

First Continental Congress Definition

Answer 6

meeting of delegates from most of the colonies held in Philadelphia in 1774 in response to British efforts to tax the colonies

Question 7

John Adams Definition

Answer 7

a leader in the American Revolution. He went on to serve as the first Vice President and second President of the United States

Question 8

John Hancock Definition

Answer 8

colonial leader, president of the Continental Congress, and signer of the Declaration of Independence

Question 9

John Locke Definition

Answer 9

English philosopher whose ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence

Question 10

Natural Rights Definition

Answer 10

rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property; the concept of natural rights was central to English philosopher John Locke’s theories about government and was widely accepted among America’s founders

Question 11

Social Contract Definition

Answer 11

Enlightenment theory that says individuals form governments as a way to enforce laws and to protect rights; if the government violates the rights of the people, the people have the right to overthrow the government and form a new government

Question 12

Thomas Jefferson Definition

Answer 12

author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson also served as minister to France and later as the third president of the United States.

Question 13

Anger over which acts caused the First Continental Congress to meet in Philadelphia in 1774? Why did they have limited support? What standard of living did most loyalists have?

Answer 13

By 1774, anger about the Intolerable Acts reached a boiling point. As a result, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia with the task of deciding on an appropriate response to the laws. But this group had only limited support; there were still strong connections between the colonies and Britain. Those who opposed independence were known as loyalists. They were usually wealthy colonists with property. To them, revolution meant mob rule, violence, and disorder.

Question 14

At first, what did the members of the First Continental Congress disagree on?

Answer 14

At first, members of the Congress could not agree. Some argued for a conciliatory, or agreeable, approach where the colonies and Britain would work out a new system in which power was shared. Others demanded complete separation from Britain.

Question 15

Why did the British send General Thomas Gage to Boston? Why did many colonists in Boston flee?

Answer 15

In an effort to restore law and order, the British sent General Thomas Gage to Boston, the site of the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. He arrived in May 1774 to serve as the new royal governor, accompanied by several regiments of British troops. Fearing that Boston had become the headquarters of British military operations, many residents fled.

Question 16

What led to the formation of militias and the minutemen?

Answer 16

General Gage ordered raids on towns where weapons were stockpiled. Gage’s actions led to the formation of the minutemen, local militias (civilian armies) that were able to organize on short notice.

Question 17

After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, where did the British reside? As a result, which military tactic did the colonists take?

Answer 17

British forces continued to occupy Boston. As a result, thousands of colonial militias marched to the city and began to lay siege, a military tactic where soldiers surround a town or building with the goal of forcing a surrender.

Question 18

What did the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) teach the British?

Answer 18

They learned that an inexperienced militia could put up a fight. And although the British took control of Charlestown, they were still besieged in Boston.

Question 19

How did British troops get to Bunker Hill?

Answer 19

They arrived by boat.

Question 20

In August 1775, what did King George declare?

Answer 20

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In August 1775, King George III declared the colonies in an official state of rebellion. Meanwhile, British forces were still isolated in Boston with no control over the countryside.

Question 21

By the time British forces retreated from Boston in 1776, what was happening in the other colonies?

Answer 21

By the time the British retreated, fighting had broken out across the colonies.

Question 22

What did Thomas Paine do in “Common Sense”? What two radical ideas did he propose?

Answer 22

In the pamphlet, Paine insulted the king and questioned Britain’s right to rule over America. He also made the case for the following two radical ideas:

republicanism – a political philosophy where elected representatives, not a monarchy, should govern

popular sovereignty – a system where the citizens would decide issues based on majority rule

Question 23

What arguments did Paine make about the British monarchy and its relationship with the colonies?

Answer 23

Paine argued that the monarchy had become too powerful and was a danger to people’s rights. He believed its relationship with the colonies was “unnatural” and the colonies must declare independence.

Question 24

What was the impact of “Common Sense”?

Answer 24

His work was widely read. It stirred debate and rallied support for independence.

Question 25

When the Continental Congress elected Thomas Jefferson of Virginia to write the Declaration of Independence, who were his inspirations?

Answer 25

The ideas he conveyed were influenced by Enlightenment thinkers, chief among them a man named John Locke.

Question 26

Which two ideas did John Locke contributed to the Declaration of Independence, which justified the colonist’s claim of independence?

Answer 26

social contract – Locke argued that government was a “contract” between leaders and the people. If the government did not adhere to the rules of the contract, the government could be changed.

natural rights – Locke believed the government’s job was to protect three rights: life, liberty, and property. These rights were “natural” because they were present from birth and could not be taken away by anyone—including the government.

Question 27

Which patriots helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence? When was the final version approved?

Answer 27

Thomas Jefferson composed the Declaration with the help of fellow patriots John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Several drafts of the document were written, and they included significant differences, such as a section about slavery that was removed from the final document. The final version was approved on July 4, 1776, and signed by delegates from the thirteen colonies, including Benjamin Franklin, Edward Rutledge, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Rush, and Charles Carroll.

Question 28

What was the influence of the Declaration of Independence? Why did the Founding Fathers send a copy to France and Spain?

Answer 28

The Declaration had worldwide importance. The Founding Fathers sent copies to France and Spain, hoping to win their support in the war against Britain. The document would also serve as an influence for future revolutions around the world.

Question 29

What arguments were made against declaring independence?

Answer 29

Colonists argued that declaring independence would lead to disorder, a war would ruin America, and the colonies should ask for more power rather than independence.

Question 30

What arguments were made for declaring independence?

Answer 30

Thomas Paine argued that a king should not have power over the people. The Declaration of Independence supports the idea of natural rights of all people. It also makes claims of British abuses of power, such as imposing taxes, preventing trade, and thwarting justice for colonists.