The Declaration of Independence1.) The members of the Continental Congress voted to declare independence. They set up a five-man committee to draft a formal declaration. The Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776. It was signed on August 2 by 55 representatives, including North Carolina’s Joseph Hewes, William Hooper, and John Penn. 2.) Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence to explain why the colonies decided to separate from Britain and what rights the newly independent states now held. 3.) The declaration also listed the many wrongs that colonists suffered under King George III. 4.) Although the Declaration of Independence said that free and independent states had been created, Britain would not give up the colonies easily. Colonists would have tofight more battles to win their freedom.
Mecklenburg Resolves1.) They met to discuss the situation and adopted the Mecklenburg Resolves on May 20, 1775.2.) The resolves stated that British laws were no longer in effect. Colonists in North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County were concerned when they heard about the Lexington and Concord battles and Parliament’s declaration that the colonies were in rebellion.3.) To solve this crisis, the resolves provided for the creation of an independent local government to manage Mecklenburg County. 4.) The Mecklenburg Resolves which temporarily severed ties between Mecklenburg County and Britain, were drawn up more than a year before the Declaration of Independence was approved.