maaliyah riley

Name______________________________ us history
Class________________________ jan 29th
Date_____________

The American Revolution

Lesson 2

Ideas Help Start a Revolution

Key Terms and People
Second Continental Congress The meeting of colonial delegates that approved the
Declaration of Independence
Olive Branch Petition An offer of peace sent by the Second Continental Congress
to King George III
Common Sense Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that attacked the monarchy
Thomas Jefferson Main author of the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence Document that said the United States was an
independent nation
Patriots Colonists who wanted independence from Britain
Loyalists Colonists who were loyal to Britain

Before You Read

In the last lesson you read about conflicts that led to the American
Revolution. In this lesson you will learn why the colonists declared
their independence.

As You Read
Use a timeline and chart to takes notes on why the colonists declared
independence.

THE COLONIES HOVER BETWEEN colonists lost 450 men. This battle
PEACE AND WAR would be the deadliest of the war.
What was the Olive Branch Petition? Although the colonists were
In May 1775, colonial leaders met preparing for war, they were hoping for
again at what became known as the peace. Most colonists still felt a deep
Second Continental Congress. Some loyalty to Britain’s King George III
leaders urged independence from and blamed the bloodshed in the
Britain. Others were not ready for this colonies on his ministers. In July 1775
step. The Congress named the the Continental Congress sent King
militiamen as the Continental army George III a peace offer, called the
and appointed George Washington as Olive Branch Petition, urging a return to
commander of the army. “the former harmony” between Britain
In June 1775 British troops fought and the colonies.
against colonial soldiers near Boston in King George III flatly rejected the
the Battle of Bunker Hill. More than petition. His reply was to issue a
1,000 British soldiers were killed. The statement that the colonies were in

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

42 Guided Reading Workbook

Name______________________________ Class________________________ Date_____________

Lesson 2, continued

rebellion, and he urged Parliament to The Declaration states that “all men
order a naval blockade of the American are created equal.” However, it did not
coast. include women, African Americans,
1. How did King George III react to Native Americans, and African
the Olive Branch Petition? American slaves. However, Jefferson’s
words presented ideals that would later
he rejected the petition
help these groups challenge traditional
attitudes.
The Second Continental Congress
adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776.
THE PATRIOTS DECLARE The Declaration of Independence
INDEPENDENCE thrilled Patriots, colonists who
What ideas supported rebellion? supported independence.
After the Olive Branch Petition, the 2. How did the Declaration of
pamphlet titled Common Sense began to Independence support the notion of
influence public opinion. Its author was rebelling against Britain?
colonist Thomas Paine. He argued that
if the government is not governing the
independence would lead to a better people have the right to over through
society.
In June 1776 the Continental
Congress moved closer to declaring
independence. The Congress asked AMERICANS CHOOSE SIDES
Thomas Jefferson of Virginia to write a Who were the Loyalists and the
document stating the colonies’ reasons Patriots?
for declaring their freedom. The Many colonists opposed
document became known as the independence. These colonists were
Declaration of Independence. known as Loyalists. They supported the
The Declaration of Independence British and were loyal to the king. Some
was based on the ideas of English Loyalists felt a special tie to the king
philosopher John Locke. Locke said that because they had served as judges,
people have “natural rights” to life, councilors, or governors. Most were
liberty, and property. Locke also argued ordinary people. Some felt that the
that citizens form a social contract, or British could protect their rights better
an agreement, with their government. than a new colonial government. Others
If the government tries to take away did not want to be punished as rebels.
people’s natural rights, the people can Those colonists who supported
overthrow the government. independence were called Patriots.
In the Declaration of Independence, This group included farmers, artisans,
Jefferson wrote that people’s rights to merchants, and landowners. They
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness wanted to be free from British rule.
cannot be taken away. Government gets Patriots made up nearly half of the
its power from the people, and they can colonial population.
remove a government that threatens The conflict divided other groups,
their rights. He then listed the ways that too. The Quakers generally supported
Britain had taken away the colonists’ the Patriots. However, they did not fight
rights. since they did not believe in war. Many
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

43 Guided Reading Workbook

Name _____________________________ Class________________________ Date_____________

Lesson 2, continued

African Americans joined the Patriots. 3. Why did some colonists remain loyal
Others joined the Loyalists because they to Britain?
were offered freedom from slavery. Most because they thought that Britain
Native Americans supported the British. would support colonial interest
They viewed colonial settlers as a bigger
threat to their land.

Answer the questions to describe what led the colonists to want their
independence.

1774 The First Continental 1. What does the Second

Sept. Congress convenes. It agrees Continental Congress do to
to meet again if problems bring about peace?
with Britain continue. olive branch petition

1775 Clashes between British 2. What does the Second

Apr. soldiers and American Continental Congress do to
minutemen at Lexington prepare for war?
and Concord result in the establishing an army
loss of life.

May Since problems with the 3. What are the main ideas of
British intensify, the Second Common Sense?
Continental Congress meets. government's purpose was to serve the
people
Fall & Fighting between the British
Winter and the colonists increases. having a kind was a bad idea

1776 Thomas Paine publishes his 4. What is the purpose of a formal

Jan. Common Sense pamphlet. declaration of independence?
so that Colinest can be free from Britain
oppression

July With the increase of 5. What are the main ideas of the
fighting between Britain Declaration of Independence?
and the colonies, the all men are created equal and have
Second Continental Con- rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
gress adopts the Declaration happiness
of Independence.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

44 Guided Reading Workbook