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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 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.." -
Battle 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
- AMERICAN Victory -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet
Print $$$$
Set up post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch asking King 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
Realize men are disorganized & need discipline
Need weapons -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeing 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
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
-
The Declaration of Independence is signed
