jul 4, 1776 - 5. Declaration of Independence

Description:

*Over the next two years, tensions between the British and American colonies would result in full-on war.* It started with the British rejection of the First Continental Congress. The British declared Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion, and ordered the "rebellion put down". The British would fight with many militias, before the convening of the Second Continental Congress. That was the colonies last ditch effort to restore peace with Britain. King George III rejected it. Finally, with Thomas Paine writing his Common Sense, the colonies decided enough was enough, and using ideas from Paine and John Locke, the Declaration of Independence was written, and America was at war with England.

AP Key Concept 3.2, I

Added to timeline:

Date: