Independence declared

The Second Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. It proclaimed American determination to resist the British aggression. It was decided to form the Continental army, as Britain had a professional army of 50,000 men, and money to hire foreign soldiers. Hoping that Britain would give them liberty and independence, the colonists were getting ready to war.

In June 1775 the first major battle of the War of Independence took place at Bunker Hill, near Boston. The battle was won by the British. But the victory was a difficult one. The Americans fought heroically, and the British suffered heavy losses. Their losses were so heavy that they decided to withdraw from Boston.

After the battle of Bunker Hill any hope of reconciliation between colonies and the mother country faded.

A year later, on July 2, 1776, the colonies declared independence. On July 4, a formal document called the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Congress. George Washington became the first president of the USA.

Notes:

to convene — собирать

proclaimed American determination to resist — провоз­гласил о решимости американцев сопротивляться

suffered heavy losses — понесли тяжелые потери

any hope of reconciliation between colonies and the mother country faded — всякая надежда на примирение между колониями и метрополией улетучилась

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

American determination, the Continental army, a professional army of 50,000 men, money to hire foreign soldiers, the War of Independence.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

The Second Continental Congress, after the battle of Bunker Hill, George Washington, a year later, on July 2, 1776, the first president.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

American determination, to form the Continental army, but the victory, the colonies declared independence, the first major battle.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What did the Second Continental Congress proclaim?

2. In what way were the colonists getting ready to war?

3. Who won the battle of Bunker Hill?

4. When did the colonies declare independence?

5. What document was adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776?

Thomas jefferson

The Declaration of Independence was written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, a Virginian. That document was of great importance. It formed the basis of American constitution. Jefferson was named the father of America's constitution.

Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia. His father was a county official and surveyor. He made the first accurate map of Virginia, and his son was always proud of the fact.

When his father died, Thomas was only fourteen. Thomas inherited 2,750 acres of land and became a wealthy young man. His father was not an educated man, and he dreamed his son would get a profound training in science and arts. In 1760 Thomas entered William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia. By that time he had already mastered Latin and Greek. He proved to be a brilliant student.

Thomas Jefferson graduated from college, and became a lawyer. He took an active part in political life of Virginia. He thought that the Parliament in London had no right to make laws for people who had left England. Jefferson's articles published in newspapers were often cited by his compatriots. Jefferson wrote that "all men are created equal and independent". He believed it was the job of the government to ensure equality and independence of the people.

From 1781 to 1784 Jefferson withdrew from public life. In 1784 he was appointed Minister to France and served with Benjamin Franklin on the commission which signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the revolutionary war. The climax of his political career was in 1800, when he was elected the third President of the United States.

Notes:

county — округ

would get a profound training in science and arts — полу­чит основательное естественнонаучное и гуманитарное об­разование

Не proved to be a brilliant student. — Он оказался блес­тящим студентом

"all men are created equal and independent" — "все люди созданы равными и независимыми"

Не believed it was the job of the government to ensure — Он полагал, что задача правительства заключается в том, что­бы обеспечить

Minister to France — посол во Франции

climax — вершина, пик, кульминационная точка

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

When his father died, a wealthy young man, the first accurate map of Virginia, great importance, the basis of American constitution, the father of America's constitution.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

The Declaration of Independence, William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Thomas Jefferson graduated from, the Parliament in London, Jefferson's articles.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

The government, to make laws for people, Jefferson's articles, published in newspapers, Minister to France, political career.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Who wrote the most part of The Declaration of Independence?

2. What have you learned about Thomas Jefferson?

3. What did Jefferson think about equality and independence?

4. What was to ensure equality and independence of the people?

5. When did Jefferson become President?