Road to Independence

First Continental Congress Meets.

Sep 5, 1774

All colonies but Georgia have representatives
Voted ti Boycott all British Trade
Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonialists to unite against Britain

1000 Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brings thousands of British solders to Boston with more on the way.

Midnight ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

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 and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

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

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort.
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN victory.

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

-Printing of money
-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 Solders in response.

Battle Of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

Fought on Breeds Hill
"Dont fire until you see the white of their eyes."
BRITISH victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy.

Washington arrives on the outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

-Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline
-Need weapons

"Common sense" Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlet inspires more colonist to become patriots
Everything 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 and 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