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Continental Congress meets
-All colonies but Georgia have representatives.
-Voted to send a "Statement of grievances."
- Voted to Boycott all British Trade.
- Patrick Henry - VA rep. urged colonist to unite against Britain. -
1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
-General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons Of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming. . . The British are coming.." -
Battles Of Lexington & Concord
-Battle of Lexington-
1st battle of american revolutionary war
- "shot heard round the world" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH Victory
-Battle of Concord-
- Americans stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
-AMERICAN Victory -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
- Get all supplies in the fort including cannons.
- AMERICAN Victory
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Second Continental Congress Meet
- Print $$$$
- Set up the post office
- Created Continental Army led by George Washington
- Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
- King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response
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Battle of Bunker Hill
- fought on Breed's Hill -" Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" - William Prescott -BRITISH Victory ( Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy.
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Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
- Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
- Need weapons
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"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
-Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
-"Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, "TIS TIME TO PART" - Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
-BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
- Debate on declaring independence
- Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document
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Second continental Congress votes for independence
Everyone votes Yes. -
The Declaration of Independence is signed!
