Map Quiz Rescheduling and Scope
October 1775
George III's speech declared American colonists were revolting to establish an independent empire.
November 1775
Lord Dunmore's Proclamation (Virginia Royal Governor)
Offered freedom to slaves who joined the British.
Initially, to slaves joined, forming the “Ethiopian Regiment.”
The phrase “Liberty to slaves” became a rallying cry.
Gary Nash noted that “the slaves of many VA leading white revolutionary figure, now became a black revolutionary.”
This angered Southern planters who viewed it as the British confiscating their property.
December 1775
Prohibitory Act enacted by the British
Forbade trade with all colonies and other countries.
Placed all ship ports and sailors under British naval control.
John Adams referred to it as an “act of independence.”
January 1776
Common Sense pamphlet published by Thomas Paine
Used accessible language to explain philosophical concepts.
Shifted colonial opinion to directly blame the monarchy for their problems, rather than just Parliament or ministers.
Considered highly influential journalism, with copies sold in one month, each potentially read by 10$} to 20130$$ British ships sailed from Halifax to New York City.
June 11th: A five-man committee was formed to draft the Declaration of Independence, with Thomas Jefferson as the primary author.
June 28th: The draft was submitted to the C.C.
July 1776
July 2nd: The resolution for independence passed unanimously in the C.C. The committee then spent two days on the draft, changing approximately one-quarter of its content.
July 3rd: British ships landed at Staten Island.
July 4th: The final draft of the Declaration of Independence was sent to the printer. This date marks the official adoption, though public celebrations did not widely occur on this specific day.
The Declaration of Independence
Key phrase: “we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
This statement was not initially meant to imply all individuals were equal in all aspects of society, but rather that all people possessed inherent rights.
It signified a rejection of the Old World order and its hierarchical structures.
This radical aspect of the revolution focused on social change, contrasting with the violence often associated with the French Revolution.
Incorporated John Locke’s social contract theory and listed grievances against the King.
Signing the Declaration was a significant risk for all participants; its meaning and impact were contingent on winning the war for independence.