Lecture Notes on the American Revolution: May 1775 to July 1776

Context and Events Leading to Independence

Massachusetts Militia (Minutemen)

• Trapped British Army in Boston by May 1775.

Second Continental Congress

• Convened in Philadelphia in May 1775.
• Central question: To declare independence or mend relations with Britain?

Key Decisions and Actions

Olive Branch Petition

• Aimed to be a last peace offering to King George to end the crisis peacefully.

Formation of Continental Army

• Massachusetts militia adopted into a new Continental Army.
• George Washington appointed as commander-in-chief.

Independence Debate

Patriots vs. Loyalists

• Patriots: Advocated for full independence from Britain.
• Loyalists: Wanted to remain loyal to Britain, arguing:
  • Taxes were justified.
  • Colonists benefited from the British Empire.
  • 13 colonies were ill-equipped to govern independently.

Influence of Thomas Paine

• 1776 pamphlet "Common Sense" strongly supported independence as the logical solution.

Declaration of Independence

Drafting Process

• Committee formed by Congress: included John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson.
• Thomas Jefferson primarily wrote the Declaration.

Enlightenment Influence

• Jefferson influenced by John Locke's ideas:
  • Natural rights: life, liberty, property.
  • Jefferson's wording: inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Argued violation of social contract by King and Parliament.

Adoption of Declaration

• Voted by Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
• Affirmed the colonies’ need to fight for independence.

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These notes summarize the key ideas and events from the transition of the American colonies from seeking to mend relations with Britain to declaring independence, highlighting the roles of influential leaders and documents in shaping the path to the Revolutionary War.