Road to Revolution 5.3 & 5.4

Continental Congress Meets

Sep 5, 1774

All colonies but Georgia has representatives
Voted to send a "statement of grievance"
Voted to boycott all British trade

1,000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brings thousand of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way.

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.."

Battle of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington-
-1st battle of american Revolutionary War
- "shot heard round the round the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
- BRITISH Victory
Battle of Concord-

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort at night
Americans capture much needed supplies and ammunition in the fort including cannons

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

Print money
Set up post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch Petition asking King George lll to protect their rights.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

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

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
Need weapons

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

Pamphlet inspires more colonist 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

Mar 17, 1776

Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
Washington put cannons on Dorchester
Height overlooking Boston
BRITISH retreat -AMERICAN Victory

Second Continental Congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on declaring independence from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document

Second Continental Congress votes for independence

Jul 2, 1776

All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence

The Declaration of Independence is signed

Jul 4, 1776