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Continental Congress
All colonies but Georgia have Representatives
Voted to send a "Statement of grievances"
voted boycott all British trade
Patrick Henry- VA rep . urged colonist 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.." -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington -
-1st battle of america 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 -
Capture of fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
- Get all supplies in the fort including Cannons
- AMERICAN Victory
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Second Continental Congress meet
- Print $$$
- Set up post office
- Created Continental Army led by George Washington
- Sent Olive Branch asking king to protect there rights ~ King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response
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Battle of bunker Hill
- Fought on Breeds 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.
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Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
- Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
- Need Weapons
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"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
- Pamphlet inspires more colonist to become patriots
- "Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voices of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" ~ Thomas Paine, Common Sense
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British Surrender Boston
- Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
- Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
- BRITISH retreat ~ AMERICAN Victory
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Second Continental Congress meet again
- Debate on declaring independence
- Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document
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Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
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The Declaration of Independence is Signed!!