Road to independence

First continental congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

All colonies but georgia have representatives voted to send a statement of grievances voted to boycott all british trade patrick henry-va rep.urged colonists to unite against britain

1,000s of redcoats in boston

Apr 1, 1775

general gage brings thousands of british soldiers to bonston with more on the way

capture of fort ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

benedict arnold & ethan allen capture the fort get all supplies in the fort including cannons American victory

battle of bunker hill

Jun 16, 1775

fought on breeds hill

battle of bunker hill

Jun 16, 1775

fought on breed's hill
dont 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

washington arrives on outskirts of boston with continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

realizes men are disorganized & need discipline need weapons

second continental congress meet

Sep 5, 1775

print$$$$
set up post office created continental army led by george washington
sent olive branch asking king to protect their rights -king hires 3000 hessians soldiers in response

common sense published by thomas paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots every thing 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

Mar 17, 1776

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

Jun 15, 1776

debate on declaring independence
thomas jefferson is the primary author of the document

second continental congress votes for independence

Jul 2, 1776

all 13 colonies vote yes on declaring independence

the declaration of independence is signed

Jul 4, 1776