The American Revolution: The Declaration of Independence - Lecture 11

Explore a comprehensive lecture on the Declaration of Independence and its historical context during the American Revolution. Delve into the Second Continental Congress's primary focus on organizing defensive war efforts and their last attempt at reconciliation with King George III through the Olive Branch Petition. Discover how local communities across the colonies began debating independence, contributing to the formal declaration by the Continental Congress in July 1776. Learn about the decision to have Thomas Jefferson draft the Declaration and the editing process that followed. Gain insights into the general populace's thoughts on independence and the debates surrounding the creation of this pivotal document in American history.

- Chapter 1. Introduction: Independence
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- Chapter 2. Organizing for War during the Second Continental Congress
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- Chapter 3. King George III's Response to the Olive Branch Petition and the Release of Common Sense
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- Chapter 4. The General Populace's Thoughts on Cries for Independence
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- Chapter 5. Debates on Drafting a Formal Declaration of Independence
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- Chapter 6. Editing the Declaration and Conclusion
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