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 boyycot all british trade
patrick henry - rep. urged colonists to unite against britain

second continental congress meet

May 10, 1775

• 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

Jul 15, 1775

• realizes men are disorganized need discipline

- needs weapons

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."

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