road to independence

By stu.robertsk@mishawaka.k12.in.us

  • First Continental Congress meets

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

  • second continental congress meet

    • print $$
    • set up a post office
    • create continental army led by George Washington
    • sent olive branch asking king to protect their rights - king hires 30,000 hessains soldiers in response

  • washington arrives on outskirts of boston continental troops

    • realizes men are disorganized need discipline
    - needs weapons

  • common sense published by Thomas Paine

    • 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."

  • 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 declairing independence
    • Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document