Road to Independence

By Stu.garrettj@mishawaka.k12.in.us

  • Tensions rising between the Britsh and Colonists

    Tensions rising between the Britsh and Colonists
    • A fight broke out between some Bostonians and soldiers.
    • The colonists started throwing sticks and stones at the soldiers.
    • The soldiers did end up firing and killed five colonists.

  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    • The colonists dressed as Native Americans, then boarded the ships and threw 342 chests of tea overboard.
    • As the word of this spread out the colonists gathered to celebrate.

  • First Continental Congress meets

    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

  • Midnight ride to Paul Revere

    Midnight ride to Paul Revere
    • Dr. Joseph Warren was in Boston looking for any unusual activity from the British.
    • Warren alerted Paul Revere and William Dawes, members of the Sons of Liberty. -Revere and Dawes rode to Lexington to spread the word of the British coming.

  • British move

    British move
    -Troops started Marching out of the city Boston.

  • The battle of Lexington and Concord

    The battle of Lexington and Concord
    • The redcoats ran into 70 waiting minutemen once they arrived, led by Captain John Parker.
    • In a short battle, the British took heavy losses, and tried returning to Boston. -By the time they reached Boston at least 174 were wounded and 73 dead.

  • Fort Ticonderoga surrendered

    Fort Ticonderoga surrendered
    • Arnold learned that Ethan Allen was also planning on attacking the fort so they joined forces. -They formed the so-called Green Mountain Boys. -Together they took the fort by making the opposing side surrender.

  • Second continental congress meets

    Second continental congress meets
    -Among them were John and Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington—all delegates to the First Continental Congress. Several new delegates came as well.
    - They came to the conclusion of not being ready for a break from Britain.
    - It would be another year before Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

  • The battle of Bunker Hill

    The battle of Bunker Hill
    • Soon the militia around Boston numbered about 20000 strong.
    • The British were in control of the city with the militia camped nearby.
    • A militia that Colonel William Prescott ran set up posts on Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill, across the harbor from Boston. -The British won the battle although they took heavy losses.

  • The redcoats assemble at Breed's Hill.

    The redcoats assemble at Breed's Hill.
    • The Americans opened fire forcing the British to retreat.
    • The British attacked twice more, forcing the Americans to withdraw due to lack of gunpowder.

  • The second continental congress voted on Lee's resolution for independence

    The second continental congress voted on Lee's resolution for independence
    • Twelve colonies voted for independence.
    • New York did not vote but later announced there support.

  • Declaration of Independence approved

    Declaration of Independence approved
    • They made some changes.
    • John Hancock signed his name first.
    • Eventually 56 delegates signed the document, announcing the birth of the United States.

  • George Washington had the declaration of Independence read to his troops

    George Washington had the declaration of Independence read to his troops
    • In Worcester, Massachusettes there was a public reading of the Declaration of Independence
    • It led to repeated cheers, firing of musketry and cannons, bonfires, and other demonstrations of joy.