Road to Independence

  • First Continental Congress meets

    First 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 colonists to unite against British
  • 1,000's of Redcoats in Boston

    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

    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 and Concord

    Battles of Lexington and Concord

    • Battle of Lexington -
      • First battle of the 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!
  • Second Continental Congress meet

    Second Continental Congress meet

    • Printing their own money
    • Set up post office
    • Created a Continental Army led by George Washington
    • Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
      • King hires 30,000 Hessian Soldiers in response
  • Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

    Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

    • Benedict Arnold Ethan Allen capture the fort
      • Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
      • American Victory!
  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    Battle of Bunker Hill

    • Fought on Breed's Hill
      • "Don't fire until you see the whites in 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

    Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

    • Realizes men are disorganized need discipline
    • Needs weapons
  • "Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

    "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

    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)

    Second Continental Congress meet (again)

    • Debate on declaring independence
    • Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document
  • Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

    Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

    • All colonies voted in support
      • New York did not vote, but later announced it's support
  • The Declaration of Independence is signed!

    The Declaration of Independence is signed!

    • 4th of July!