Road to Revolution

1st Continental Congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

All colonists 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

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brought thousands of British soldiers to Boston with reinforcements coming if needed.

Midnight ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

Paul Revere rides his horse to warn Sons of Liberty in Lexington & Concord that the 'British are on there way...The British are coming".

Battles of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington -
-1st battle of American Revolutionary War
-a "shot heard around the war" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
-Lobster back victory
Battle of Concord -
AMERICANS Stop Lobster backs and FORCE them to GO HOME TO THERE MOMMIES AND CRY.

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen took control of the fort
Get all supplies from the fort including cannons

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

Make fake money
Make a post office
Made a Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch to ask the king to protect their rights.
-king hired 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response.

Battle of Bunker hill

Jun 16, 1775

Fought on Breed's Hill
"Don't fire till you see the whits of there eyes" -William Prescott
American Loss because they ran out of ammo. Then the British realize defeating Americans would be HARD.

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops.

Jul 15, 1775

Washington realized the men are not organized & lack discipline, needed weapons.

'Common Sense' Published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

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" -Thomas Paine, Common Sense

British Surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

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

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on declaring independence.
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