-
Jul 2, 1176
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
-
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
-
1000s of redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
Paul rides to worn the sons of liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming..." -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington
-1st battle of American Revolutionary War
- "Shot hear around 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 and Ethan Allen capture the fort
Get all supplies including cannons
American victory -
Second Continental Congress meet
-Pint their own money
-Set up a post office
-Created Continental Army lead by George Washington
-Sent Olive Branch petition asking king to protect their rights
-King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Fought on Breeds Hill
"Dont fire until you see the whites of their eyes!"
British victory -
Washington arrives on the outskirts of Boston with Continental Troops
- The men are disorganized and 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 weeping voice of nature cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART." from Common Sense, 1776 -
British Surrender Boston
- Washington believes his army is ready and canons arrive
- Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston -American Victory
-
Continental Congress meet again
-Debate on declaring Independence
-Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document