Road To Independence

Continental Congress Meets

Sep 5, 1774

• 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

Apr 1, 1775

• General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers 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 the 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 Ethan Allen capture the fort.
  • Get all supplies in the fort, including cannons
  • AMERICAN Victory

Second Continental Congress Meet

May 10, 1775

• 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

Jun 16, 1775

• 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 the Outskirts of Boston with Continental Troops

Jul 15, 1775

• Realizes men are disorganized need discipline
  • Need weapons

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

• Pamphlet inspire 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." = 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