Road to Independence

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1772

fought on Breed's Hill Map
"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

First Continental congress meet

Sep 5, 1774

All colonies but Georgia have representatives
Voted to send "statement of grievances"
Voted to Boycott all British Trade
Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonies to untill against British

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 ware the Son of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming..."

Battles of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington- 1st battle if American Revolutionary War -"shot heard round the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson - BRITISH Victory
Battle of Concord- American Stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN Victory

The 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

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 17, 1775

Realizes men are diorganized & need discipline
Need weapons

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

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

British Surrender Bosten

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 16, 1776

Debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author 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