5th - SS Chap 9 Lesson 1

Question 0

An army with soldiers from all 13 colonies.

Answer 0

Continental Army

Question 1

A meeting in which colonial leaders made decisions about problems with Britain.

Answer 1

Second Continental Congress

Question 2

A letter from the colonists to King George III of Britain.

Answer 2

Olive Branch Petition

Question 3

A document explaining why the colonies wanted independence.

Answer 3

Declaration of Independence

Question 4

A person who works against his or her country.

Answer 4

Traitor

Question 5

What began meeting in Philadelphia in May 1775?

Answer 5

The Second Continental Congress

Question 6

What was one of the first thing that the Second Continental Congress do?

Answer 6

Formed the Continental Army.

Question 7

Who did the Second Continental Congress choses to be led the Continental Army?

Answer 7

George Washington

Question 8

What did the Olive Branch Petition say to King George III of Britain?

Answer 8

It stated that the colonists were still loyal to Great Britain and that war could be avoided if the British government would give the colonists greater freedom to govern themselves.

Question 9

How did King George III respond?

Answer 9

He refused to even read the petition and would use force “to put a speedy end” to what he saw as an illegal rebellion.

Question 10

Why did Congress send King George III the Olive Branch Petition?

Answer 10

To prevent a war.

Question 11

Who wrote the pamphlet called “Common Sense”?

Answer 11

Thomas Paine

Question 12

Common Sense used easily understood language to do what?

Answer 12

It convinced many Americans that it was time to declare independence.

Question 13

What did the Continental Congress want before declaring the break with Britain?

Answer 13

The leaders wanted to make sure that every colony supported the break from Britain or independence.

Question 14

A committee was formed to draft the Declaration of Independence. Who were the committee members?

Answer 14

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson.

Question 15

Who actually wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 15

Thomas Jefferson

Question 16

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 16

To explain why the colonies wanted independence.

Question 17

What argument did Jefferson use in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 17

He stated that people are born with certain “unalienable rights”, meaning rights that cannot be taken away.

Question 18

According to the Declaration of Independence, what are three “unalienable rights”?

Answer 18

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Question 19

What else did the Declaration of Independence state?

Answer 19

That if a government tries to take away these rights, the people have the right to form a new government. He also listed the ways Britain had injuries the colonies.

Question 20

How did the Declaration end?

Answer 20

The signers agreed (vowed) to defend their nation with “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Question 21

When was the Declaration of Independence approved?

Answer 21

July 4, 1776

Question 22

Why was the signing of the Declaration of Independence a dangerous act?

Answer 22

Because by signing, they would be considered traitors by the British Government. And during the Revolution, traitors were put to death by hanging.

Question 23

What are two important decisions made by the Second Continental Congress?

Answer 23

1. Establishing the Continental Army (electing George Washington the leader)
2. Sending the Olive Branch Petition to King George III
3. Declaring their independence in the Declaration of Independence