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Continental Congress meets
-All colonies but Georgia has representatives.
-Voted to send a "statement of grievances"
-Voted to Boycott all British Trade.
-Patrick Henry-VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain. -
1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
-General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
-Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming...The British are coming.."
-Accompanied by Samuel Prescott and William Dawes (the ones who actually rode until midnight) -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
*Battle of Lexington-1st battle of 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
-Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort at night.
-Americans capture much needed supplies and ammunition in the fort including cannons.
-American Victory -
Second Continental Congress meets
-Print money(change from British pounds to American dollars).
-Set up post office.
-Created Continental Army led by George Washington.
-Sent Olive Branch Petition asking King George III to protect their rights.
King hires 30,000 Hessian Soldiers in response. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
-Fought on Breed's Hill.
-"Don't 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
-Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline.
-Need weapons. -
"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
-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 declaring independence from Great Britain.
-Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document. -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
-All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence. -
The Declaration of Independence is signed.
