Bush Declaration facts for kids
The Bush Declaration was an important statement made on March 22, 1775, in Harford County, Maryland. It's also known by other names like the Bush River Declaration. This statement showed strong support for the American colonists who wanted to break away from British rule. It was a key step towards the American Revolution.
The Bush Declaration: A Step Towards Freedom
What Was It?
The Bush Declaration was a special agreement. It was created by a group of leaders from Harford County. They met to discuss important decisions made by other colonial groups. These included the Continental Congress and the Provincial Convention.
The leaders strongly agreed with these decisions. They felt it was their job to make sure these plans happened. They promised to each other and to their country. They said they would risk their "lives and fortunes" to carry out these plans. This showed how serious they were.
Why Was It Important?
Thirty-four committee members signed the declaration. Even though it didn't directly say "we want to be independent," it was a very bold move. Many people in the area were proud of it. They even called it one of the first "declarations of independence" in America.
Why did they think this? First, the signers knew they were taking a huge risk. Agreeing to such a statement could be seen as treason against the British King. They were literally putting their lives and money on the line.
Second, there's a strong connection to the famous United States Declaration of Independence. The last sentence of the Bush Declaration is very similar to the last sentence of the Declaration of Independence. That famous line says, "We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
Some historians believe that Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, might have known about the Bush Declaration. He may have used its powerful words to inspire the final version of the American Declaration of Independence. This shows how important local actions were in leading up to the birth of the United States.
