A History of the United States: Chapter 5: The Spirit of Independence

This order prohibited, or barred, colonists from living west of the Appalachian Mountains, on Native American land.

Great Britain needed new revenue, or income, to pay for the troops.

The Sugar Act angered many colonists. They believed this and other new laws violated their rights.

The assembly passed a resolution—a formal expression of opinion—declaring that it had "the only and sole exclusive right and power to lay taxes" on its citizens.

Protesters burned effigies—stuffed figures—made to look like unpopular tax collectors.

People in colonial cities urged merchants to boycott—refuse to buy—British goods in protest.

As the boycott spread, businesses in Britain lost so much money that they demanded Parliament repeal, or cancel, the Stamp Act.

In 1768 they sent word to Britain that the colonies were on the brink of rebellion—a rejection of British authority.

Now Britain had sent an army to occupy, or take control of, colonial cities.

One Bostonian cried: "Are the inhabitants to be knocked down in the streets? Are they to be murdered...?" The colonists called the tragic encounter "the Boston Massacre."

Colonial leaders used the killings as propaganda—information designed to influence opinion.

In 1772 Samuel Adams revived the Boston committee of correspondence, a group used in earlier protests.

Some militias were known as minutemen because they boasted they would be ready to fight at a minute's notice.

At dawn, the redcoats approached Lexington.

Those who sided with Britain, the Loyalists, did not think unfair taxes and laws justified a rebellion.

The Patriot, on the other hand, supported the war. They believed that the colonists should have the right to govern themselves.

I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain....

I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain....

But the injuries and disadvantages...are without number; and our duty to mankind at large, as well as to ourselves, instruct us to renounce the alliance....

The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries—It is time to be reconciled; it is time to lay aside those animosities which have pushed on Britons to shed the blood of Britons...

A Declaration of Independency would infallibly disunite and divide the colonists....

Torrents of blood will be spilt, and thousands reduced to beggary and wretchedness....

They sent a petition, or formal request, to George III.

Although the size of the colonial force grew every day, Washington realized that the men were disorganized and lacked discipline—the ability to follow strict rules and procedures.

The Second Continental Congress was filled with spirited debate: Should the colonies declare themselves an independent nation or stay under British rule?

The Declaration has four major sections. The preamble, or introduction, states that people who wish to form a new country should explain their reasons for doing so.

Finally, the Declaration announces America's new status. Pledging "to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor," the Americans declared themselves a new nation.