South Carolina Articles of Association for the District East of the Wateree, 1775
Document Description:
Written in response to the Battles of Lexington & Concord, men in South Carolina’s backcountry gathered and pledged readiness, “to sacrifice our Lives and Fortunes to secure [the colonies’] Freedom and Safety” in the Articles of Association. They labeled the conflict, “sufficient to drive an oppressed People to the use of Arms.”
Although South Carolina owed more allegiance to Britain, these men were willing to sever those ties in order to support Massachusetts. This is an early glimpse at the shift from thirteen disparate colonies into the United States. Although the signers of these Articles still hoped that reconciliation could take place between Great Britain and the colonies, they were prepared to fight!
Citation:
Signed Copy of the Articles of Association for the District East of the Wateree, 1775. Provincial Congress. Articles of Association. 1775. Constitutional and Organic Papers. S131008. South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Columbia, SC.
Transcription:
South Carolina-- Association--
The actual commencement of Hostilities against This Continent, by the British Troops in the bloody Scene on the 19 th of April last, near Boston the Increase of arbitrary Impositions from a wicked and despotic Ministry—and the Dread of—Insurrections in the Colonies, are Causes sufficient to drive an oppressed People to the use of Arms: We therefore the Subscribers, Inhabitants of South Carolina, holding ourselves bound by that most Sacred of all Obligations, the Duty of good Citizens towards an injured Country, and thoroughly convinced, that, under our present distressful Circumstances, we shall be Justified before God and Man, in resisting Force by Force; Do united our selves under every Tie of Religion and of honour and associate as a Band in her Defence against every Foe. Hereby solemnly engaging that, whenever our Continential or Provincial Councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sacrifice our Lives and Fortunes to secure her Freedom and Safety. This obligation to Continents in full Force until a Reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon constitutional Principles—an Event which is most ardently desire. And we will hold all those Persons inimical to the Liberty of the Colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe this Association--
[Signatures of Delegates]
Correlating Social Studies Academic Standards:
Standard 3-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the American Revolution and South Carolina’s role in the development of the new American nation. Indicator 3-3.1 Analyze the causes of the American Revolution--including Britain's passage of the Tea Act, the Intolerable Acts, the rebellion of hte colonists, and the Declaration of Independence--and South Carolina's role in these events. Indicator 3-3.2 Summarize the key conflicts and key leaders of hte American Revolution in South Caroina and their effects on the state, including the occupation of Charleston by the British; the partisan warfare of Thomas Sumter, Andrew Pickens, and Francis Marion; and the battles of Cowpens and Kings Mountain. |
| Standard 4-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the conflict between the American colonies and England. Indicator 4-3.1 Explain the political and economic factors leading to the American Revolution, including the French and Indian War; British colonial policies such as the Stamp Act, the Tea Act, and the so-called Intolerable Acts; and the American colonists' early resistance through boycotts, congresses, and petitions. Indicator 4-3.2 Summarize the roles of principal American, British, and European leaders involved in the conflict, including King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Indicator 4-3.3 Explain the major ideas and philosphies of government reflected in the Declaration of Independence. Indicator 4-3.4 Summarize the events and key battles of the Revolutionary War, including Lexington and Concord, Bunker (Breed's) Hill, Charleston, Sartoga, Cowpens, and Yorktown. |
| Standard 8-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the American Revolution—the beginnings of the new American nation and South Carolina’s part in the development of that nation. |
| Indicator 8-2.1 Explain the interests and roles of South Carolinians in the events leading to the American Revolution, including the state’s reactions to the Stamp Act and the Tea Act; the role of Christopher Gadsden and the Sons of Liberty; and the role of the four South Carolina signers of the Declaration of Independence—Edward Rutledge, Henry Middleton, Thomas Lynch Jr., and Thomas Heyward Jr. |
| Indicator 8-2.2: Compare the perspectives and roles of different South Carolinians during the American Revolution, including those of political leaders, soldiers, partisans, Patriots, Tories/Loyalists, women, African Americans, and Native Americans. |
| Indicator 8-2.3: Summarize the course and key conflicts of the American Revolution in South Carolina and its effects on the state, including the attacks on Charleston; the Battle of Camden; the partisan warfare of Thomas Sumter, Andrew Pickens, and Francis Marion; the Battle of Cowpens; and the Battle of Kings Mountain. |
Social Studies Literacy Elements: |
| K. Use texts, photographs, and documents to observe and interpret social studies trends and relationships |
| L. Interpret calendars, time lines, maps, charts, tables, graphs, flow charts, diagrams, photographs, paintings, cartoons, architectural drawings, documents, letters, censuses, and other artifacts |
| O. Consider multiple perspectives of documents and stories |
Lessons Using This Document:
South Carolina Responds - Eighth Grade