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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 -
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
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 -
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
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Battle of Bunker Hill
-Fought on Breed's Hill
-"Don't Fire until you see the whites of their eyes" - Wiliam 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 & need discipline
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"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 slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" -Thomas Paine, Common Sense
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British Surrender Boston
- Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
- Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
- BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory
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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!