-
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” . -
Battles of lexington & concord
Battles of lexington -
- 1st battle of American Revolutionary War
-"shot heard around the world" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH victory
Battles 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 Hessians soldiers in response -
Battle of Bunker Hill
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
realizes men are disorganized & needs discipline
- needs weapons -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
pamphlet inspires more colonies 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" -
British Surrender Boston
Washington believes his army is army is ready & weapons arrive -
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
