-
First 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 -
second continental congress meet
print money
set up post office
created continental army let by George Washington
Sent Olive branch asking kind to protect their rights
king hires 30,000 hessian soldier 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
realizes 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 stain, the weeping voice of nature cries, "tis time to part"- Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British surrender Boston
Washington believes his army is ready and 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
All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence -
The declaration of Independence is signed!
FIREWORKS