Topic 3.3: The Colonists Declare Independence

The creation of a Continental Army was to support

A.

the political legitimacy of the Second Continental Congress.

B.

New England's struggle against British troops.

C.

British efforts to control French territory in the north.

D.

George Washington's desire to command a unified force.

B.

New England's struggle against British troops.

The purpose of the Second Continental Congress's "Olive Branch Petition" was to

A.

confirm their loyalty to the king.

B.

confirm their loyalty to Parliament.

C.

announce their intent to declare war.

D.

announce their independence from Britain.

A.

confirm their loyalty to the king.

On which issue did many Patriots and Loyalists agree?

A.

Slavery should be abolished in the colonies.

B.

The colonial government was more fair than Britain's.

C.

Colonists should not be asked to take oaths of allegiance.

D.

The new taxes levied on the colonies were unjust

D.

The new taxes levied on the colonies were unjust

The greatest shift in colonial opinion towards independence and a republican government came after the publication of a book by

A.

Benjamin Franklin.

B.

Thomas Jefferson.

C.

Thomas Paine.

D.

Paul Revere.

C.

Thomas Paine.

July 4, 1776 was the date that

A.

the Declaration of Independence was approved.

B.

the Second Continental Congress first assembled.

C.

the first battle of the war began at Lexington and Concord.

D.

the colonies first confederated as the United States of America.

A.

the Declaration of Independence was approved.

Paul Revere

Boston silversmith who rode into the countryside to spread news of British troop movement.

militia

a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.

Minutemen

Member of a militia during the American Revolution who could be ready to fight in sixty seconds

Loyalists

American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence

Second Continental Congress

Political authority that directed the struggle for independence beginning in 1775.

Continental Army

Army formed in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress and led by General George Washington

Thomas Paine

Author of Common Sense

republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property; Enlightenment theory of John Locke