On the Eve of Independence Review

What two decisions were made at the Second Continental Congress in 1775?

• to form an army

• to make a gesture for peace with Great Britain

• to declare war on Great Britain

• to demand a repeal of the Tea Act

Why did the 2nd Continental Congress send the Olive Branch Petition?

• to persuade British troops to leave Boston

• to encourage colonists to join the army

• to convince Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act

• to ask King George to make peace with the colonies

What effect did Common Sense have on the colonies?

• it instilled the fear of war in the colonists

• it convinced the colonies to remain loyal to Great Britain

• it persuaded many colonists that America should be independent

• it petitioned the king to end the quarrel between the colonies and Great Britain

Vocabulary: a formal written request made to an official person or organization

• independence

• petition

• natural rights

Vocabulary: freedom from control by another government or country

• independence

• petition

• natural rights

Famous Documents:

a pamphlet published in 1776 by Thomas Paine that persuaded many American colonists to support independence

• Common Sense

• Olive Branch Petition

• Declaration of Independence

Famous Documents:

a petition adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 and sent to King George III in a final attempt to avoid war between Great Britain and the Colonies

• Common Sense

• Olive Branch Petition

• Declaration of Independence

People:

published Common Sense

• Thomas Paine

• John Adams

• Patrick Henry

• Thomas Jefferson

People:

King of Great Britain

• George III

• George Washington

• William Howe

• Israel Putnam