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The War for Independence 103

One American's Story

Ideas Help Start

a Revolution

William Franklin, son of the famous American writer, scientist, states-

man, and diplomat Benjamin Franklin, was royal governor of New

Jersey. Despite his father’s patriotic sympathies, William remained

stubbornly loyal to King George. In a letter written on August 2,

1775, to Lord Dartmouth, he stated his position and that of oth-

ers who resisted revolutionary views.

A PERSONAL VOICE WILLIAM FRANKLIN

“ There is indeed a dread in the minds of many here that some of

the leaders of the people are aiming to establish a republic. Rather

than submit . . . we have thousands who will risk the loss of their

lives in defense of the old Constitution. [They] are ready to declare

themselves whenever they see a chance of its being of any avail.

”

—quoted in A Little Revenge: Benjamin Franklin and His Son

Because of William’s stand on colonial issues, communication

between him and his father virtually ceased. The break

between William Franklin and his father exemplified the

chasm that now divided American from American.

The Colonies Hover Between Peace and War

In May of 1775, colonial leaders convened a second Continental Congress in

Philadelphia to debate their next move. Beyond their meeting hall, however,

events continued moving quickly, as minutemen and British soldiers clashed in a

bloody battle outside Boston, and an increasingly furious King George readied his

country for war.

THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

The loyalties that divided colonists

sparked endless debates at the Second Continental Congress. John Adams of

Massachusetts suggested a sweeping, radical plan—that each colony set up its

own government and that the Congress declare the colonies independent.

Terms & Names

MAIN IDEA

•Second

Continental

Congress

•Olive Branch

Petition

•Common Sense

•Thomas Jefferson

•Declaration of

Independence

•Patriots

•Loyalists

Tensions increased throughout

the colonies until the

Continental Congress declared

independence on July 4, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence

continues to inspire and

challenge people everywhere.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW

William Franklin

PATRIOT FATHER,

LOYALIST SON

The Divided House

of Benjamin and

William Franklin

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Page 1 of 6

Furthermore, he argued, the Congress should consider the militiamen besieging

Boston to be the Continental Army and name a general to lead them. Moderate

John Dickinson of Pennsylvania strongly disagreed with Adams’s call for revolt.

In private, he confronted Adams.

PERSONAL VOICE JOHN DICKINSON

“ What is the reason, Mr. Adams, that you New England men oppose our measures

of reconciliation? . . . If you don’t concur with us in our paciﬁc system, I and a

number of us will break off from you in New England, and we will carry on the

opposition by ourselves in our own way.

”

—quoted in Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution

The debates raged on into June, but one stubborn fact remained: colonial

militiamen were still encamped around Boston. The Congress agreed to recognize

them as the Continental Army and appointed as its commander a 43-year-old vet-

eran of the French and Indian War, George Washington. The Congress, acting like

an independent government, also authorized the printing of paper money to pay

the troops and organized a committee to deal with foreign nations. These actions

came just in time.

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

Cooped up in Boston, British General Thomas

Gage decided to strike at militiamen who had dug in on Breed’s Hill, north of the

city and near Bunker Hill. On the steamy summer morning of June 17, 1775, Gage

sent out nearly 2,400 British troops. The British, sweating in wool uniforms and

heavy packs, began marching up Breed’s Hill in their customary broad lines. The

colonists held their ﬁre until the last minute, then began to shoot down the

advancing redcoats. The surviving British troops made a second attack, and then

a third. The third assault succeeded, but only because the militiamen ran low on

ammunition.

This painting shows “Bunker’s Hill” before the battle, as shells from Boston set nearby Charles

Town ablaze. At the battle, the British demonstrated a maneuver they used throughout the war:

they massed together, were visible for miles, and failed to take advantage of ground cover.

▼

A. Possible

Answers

Yes: Because

British forces

were well orga-

nized and the

Americans

needed a strong

leader to orga-

nize them as

well.

No: Because the

colonists had

declared their

intention to step

up armed resis-

tance, thereby

jeopardizing any

hopes for recon-

ciliation with the

crown.

MAIN IDEA

Evaluating

Leadership

Do you think

that the

Continental

Congress was

responsible in

the actions that

it took?

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Page 2 of 6

By the time the smoke cleared, the colonists had lost 450 men, while the

British had suffered over 1,000 casualties. The misnamed Battle of Bunker Hill

would prove to be the deadliest battle of the war.

THE OLIVE BRANCH PETITION

By July, the Second Continental Congress was

readying the colonies for war while still hoping for peace. Most of the delegates,

like most colonists, felt deep loyalty to George III and blamed the bloodshed on

the king’s ministers. On July 8, 1775, the Congress sent the king the so-called

Olive Branch Petition, urging a return to “the former harmony” between

Britain and the colonies.

King George ﬂatly rejected the petition. Furthermore, he issued a proclama-

tion stating that the colonies were in rebellion and urged Parliament to order a

naval blockade of the American coast.

The Patriots Declare Independence

In the months after the Olive Branch Petition, a thin document containing the

powerful words of an angry citizen began to circulate and change public opinion.

COMMON SENSE

In Common Sense, an anonymous 50-page

pamphlet, the colonist Thomas Paine attacked King George III.

Paine explained that his own revolt against the king had begun

with Lexington and Concord.

A PERSONAL VOICE THOMAS PAINE

“ No man was a warmer wisher for a reconciliation than myself,

before the fatal nineteenth of April, 1775, but the moment the

event of that day was made known, I rejected the hardened,

sullen tempered Pharaoh of England for ever . . . the wretch,

that with the pretended title of Father of his people can unfeel-

ingly hear of their slaughter, and composedly sleep with their

blood upon his soul.

”

—Common Sense

Paine declared that the time had come for colonists to

proclaim an independent republic. He argued that indepen-

dence, which was the American “destiny,” would allow

America to trade freely with other nations for guns and

ammunition and win foreign aid from British enemies.

Finally, Paine stated, independence would give Americans

the chance to create a better society—one free from tyranny,

with equal social and economic opportunities for all.

Common Sense sold nearly 500,000 copies and was wide-

ly applauded. In April 1776, George Washington wrote,

“I ﬁnd Common Sense is working a powerful change in the

minds of many men.”

DECLARING INDEPENDENCE

By early summer 1776, events pushed the waver-

ing Continental Congress toward a decision. North Carolina had declared itself

independent, and a majority of Virginians told their delegates that they favored

independence. At last, the Congress urged each colony to form its own govern-

ment. On June 7, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee moved that “these United

Colonies are, and of a right ought to be, free and independent States.”

While talks on this fateful motion were under way, the Congress appointed a

committee to prepare a formal declaration explaining the reasons for the colonies’

actions. Virginia lawyer Thomas Jefferson, known for his broad knowledge and

skillfully crafted prose, was chosen to express the committee’s points.

The War for Independence 105

▼

Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common

Sense helped to overcome many

colonists’ doubts about separating

from Britain.

MAIN IDEA

Evaluating

Do you think

that the Olive

Branch Petition

was too little

too late?

MAIN IDEA

Analyzing

Issues

Why do

you think that

Common Sense

was so effective?

B. Possible

Answers

Yes: Because

King George had

only responded

to the colonists

with punish-

ments and by

sending troops.

No: Because a

war would be

costly to both

sides.

C. Possible

Answer

Because it

eased colonists’

fears that they

needed Britian

to survive.

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Page 3 of 6

Jefferson’s masterful Declaration of Independence

drew on the concepts of the English philosopher John

Locke, who maintained that people enjoy “natural rights”

to life, liberty, and property. Jefferson described these rights

as “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

In keeping with Locke’s ideas, Jefferson then declared

that governments derive “their just powers from the con-

sent of the governed”—that is, from the people. This right

of consent gave the people the right “to alter or to abolish”

any government that threatened their unalienable rights

and to install a government that would uphold these prin-

ciples. On the basis of this reasoning, the American colonies

declared their independence from Britain, listing in the

Declaration the numerous ways in which the British king

had violated the “unalienable rights” of the Americans.

The Declaration states ﬂatly that “all men are created

equal.” When this phrase was written, it expressed the com-

mon belief that free citizens were political equals. It did not

claim that all people had the same abilities or ought to have

equal wealth. It was not meant to embrace women, Native

Americans, and African-American slaves—a large number of

Americans. However, Jefferson’s words presented ideals that

would later help these groups challenge traditional attitudes.

In his ﬁrst draft, Jefferson included an eloquent attack

on the cruelty and injustice of the slave trade. However,

South Carolina and Georgia, the two colonies most depen-

dent on slavery, objected. In order to gain the votes of those

two states, Jefferson dropped the offending passage.

On July 2, 1776, the delegates voted unanimously that

the American colonies were free, and on July 4, 1776, they

adopted the Declaration of Independence. While delegates

created a formal copy of the Declaration, the document was

read to a crowd in front of the Philadelphia State House—

now called Independence Hall. A rush of pride and anxiety ran through the

Patriots—the supporters of independence—when they heard the closing vow:

“We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”

Americans Choose Sides

Americans now faced a difﬁcult, bitter choice: revolution or loyalty to the Crown.

This issue divided communities, friends, and even families throughout the colonies.

LOYALISTS AND PATRIOTS

The exact number of Loyalists—those who

opposed independence and remained loyal to the Crown—is unknown. Many

with Loyalist sympathies changed sides as the war progressed.

Some Loyalists felt a special tie to the king because they had served as judges,

councilors, or governors. Most Loyalists, however, were ordinary people of mod-

est means. They included some people who lived far from the cities and knew lit-

tle of the events that turned other colonists into revolutionaries. Other people

remained loyal because they thought that the British were going to win the war

and they wanted to avoid being punished as rebels. Still others were Loyalists

because they thought that the crown would protect their rights more effectively

than the new colonial governments would.

Patriots drew their numbers from people who saw economic opportunity in an

independent America. The Patriot cause embraced farmers, artisans, merchants,

106 C

HAPTER 4

DIFFICULT

RECONCILIATION OR

INDEPENDENCE?

Many American colonists in 1775

were not convinced that indepen-

dence from Britain was a good

idea. They felt deep loyalty to the

king and were accustomed to

British rule and the order that it

had created.

Many others believed in Thomas

Paine’s ideas and wanted to be

rid of tyranny as well as free to

pursue their own economic gain

and political ideals.

1. Consider the points of view

of different groups of colonists,

including slaves, in 1775. What

factors do you think would have

most strongly inﬂuenced each

group’s preference for inde-

pendence or reconciliation?

Explain your answer.

2. Imagine that the delegates

at the Second Continental

Congress had voted for recon-

ciliation. What events do you

think would have followed—

both in the short run and in

the long run? Give reasons to

support your answer.

MAIN IDEA

Summarizing

What reasons

did Thomas

Jefferson give to

justify revolt by

the colonies?

MAIN IDEA

Contrasting

How did the

thinking of the

Loyalists differ

from that of

the Patriots?

D. Answer

When a govern-

ment fails to

protect people’s

unalienable

rights, these

people have a

right to rebel

and form a gov-

ernment that

will protect their

rights.

E. Answer

Loyalists main-

tained respect

for the king and

preferred British

rule. Patriots

agreed with

Paine and want-

ed to be free of

tyrannical laws

imposed by

Britain.

p0103-108aspe-0104s2 10/16/02 3:52 PM Page 106

Page 4 of 6

Joseph Brant

Mohawk chief Joseph Brant fought for

the British during the French and

Indian War and remained loyal to the

crown during the Revolutionary War.

“ If we . . . [do] nothing for the

British . . . there will be no peace

for us. Our throats will be cut by the

Red Coat man or by America. . . .

We should go and join the father

[Britain] . . . this is the only way

for us.

”

The War for Independence 107

PATRIOTS

Charles Inglis

A clergyman of the Church of England,

Charles Inglis was loyal to the king

and argued against independence:

“ By a reconciliation with Britain,

[an end] would be put to the present

calamitous war, by which many lives

have been lost, and so many more

must be lost, if it continues.

”

Colonists Choose Sides

Loyalists and Patriots had much to gain and much to lose in the American

colonies’ struggle for independence. Fortunes, family ties, and religious obliga-

tions as well as personal convictions were at stake. For many, the most impor-

tant issue was that of national identity. Both sides believed that they were

ﬁghting for their country as well as being loyal to what was best for America.

LOYALISTS

Isaac Wilkins

Isaac Wilkins had to leave his home

after he opposed sending delegates

to the Second Continental Congress.

“ I leave America and every endear-

ing connection because I will not

raise my hand against my Sovereign,

nor will I draw my sword against my

country. When I can conscientiously

draw it in her favor, my life shall be

cheerfully devoted to her service.

”

Nathanael Greene

A paciﬁst Quaker, Nathanael

Greene nonetheless chose to

ﬁght against the British.

“ I am determined to defend

my rights and maintain my

freedom or sell my life in

the attempt.

”

Mercy Otis Warren

Patriot Mercy Otis Warren wrote,

“ I see the inhabitants of our plun-

dered cities quitting the elegancies

of life, possessing nothing but their

freedom, I behold faction & discord

tearing up an Island we once held

dear and a mighty Empire long the

dread of distant nations, tott’ring

to the very foundation.

”

James Armistead

The state of Virginia paid tribute

to devoted revolutionary James

Armistead, who as a slave had

been permitted to enlist:

“ At the peril of his life

[Armistead] found means to

frequent the British camp, and

thereby faithfully executed

important commissions entrust-

ed to him by the marquis.

”

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Page 5 of 6

Analyzing

108 C

HAPTER 4

landowners, and elected ofﬁcials. German colonists in

Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia also joined the

ﬁght for independence. While Patriots made up nearly

half the population, many Americans remained neutral.

TAKING SIDES

The conﬂict presented dilemmas for other groups as well. The

Quakers generally supported the Patriots but did not ﬁght because they did not

believe in war. Many African Americans fought on the side of the Patriots, while

others joined the Loyalists since the British promised freedom to slaves who

would ﬁght for the crown. Most Native Americans supported the British because

they viewed colonial settlers as a bigger threat to their lands.

Now the colonies were plunged into two wars—a war for independence and

a civil war in which Americans found themselves on opposing sides. The price of

choosing sides could be high. In declaring their independence, the Patriots had

invited war with the mightiest empire on earth.

MOB RULE

This British cartoon portrays the events of the Boston Tea Party from the

Loyalist perspective. While Patriots are dumping tea, a British tax collector,

having been tarred and feathered, is having tea poured down his throat.

The “Liberty Tree,” where a copy of the Stamp Act has been nailed upside

down, has been converted into a gallows, a device used for hanging people.

SKILLBUILDER

Analyzing Political Cartoons

How does the cartoonist make the mob look sinister?

What kind of comment does the cartoonist make by suspending a

hangman’s noose from the “Liberty Tree”? Explain.

SEE SKILLBUILDER HANDBOOK, PAGE R24.

•Second Continental

Congress

•Olive Branch Petition

•Common Sense

•Thomas Jefferson

•Declaration of

Independence

•Patriots

•Loyalists

1. TERMS & NAMES For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its signiﬁcance.

MAIN IDEA

2. TAKING NOTES

Re-create the cluster diagram below

on your paper. Fill it in with details

presenting causes, ideas, and

results related to the Declaration

of Independence.

CRITICAL THINKING

3. HYPOTHESIZING

Imagine that King George had

accepted the Olive Branch Petition

and sought a diplomatic resolution

with the Congress. Do you think

colonists would still have pressed

for independence? Think About:

• the attitudes of the king and

Parliament toward the colonies

• the impact of ﬁghting at

Lexington, Concord, and

Breed’s Hill

• the writings of Thomas Paine

4. ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES

Thomas Paine wrote in the

introduction to Common Sense:

“ The cause of America is

in a great measure the

cause of all mankind.

”

Evaluate the signiﬁcance of Paine’s

statement. Think About:

• Locke’s ideas about

natural rights

• Jefferson’s ideas about

“unalienable rights”

Causes of

Results of

Ideas in

The Declaration of Independence

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