Road to independence

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 15, 1773

Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
Need weapons

1,000's of redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1774

- general Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way

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 colonies to unite against britan

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

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

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington-
- 1st battle if 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

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

benedict arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
get all supplies in the for including cannons
AMERICAN victory

Second Continental Congress Meet

May 10, 1775

Print $$$$
Set up a post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
- King hires 30,00 Hessian's soldiers in response

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

Fought on breed's Hill map
"Don't fire until you see the white for their eyes"- William Prescott
BRITISH victory ( Americans ran out of ammunition ) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy.

The Declaration of Independence is signed!

Jul 4, 1775

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of 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 cannon on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory

Seconed Continental Congress meet again

Apr 15, 1776

Debate on declaring in dependence
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document

Second Contintal Congress votes for Independece

Jul 2, 1776

All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence