Road to independence

First continental congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

• All colonists 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 British

1,000's of redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the day.

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 & concord

Apr 19, 1775

• Battle of Lexington
• 1st battles of American Revolutionary war
• "shot heard round the world" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
• BRITISH Victory
• Battles of concord-
• Americans 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

Second Continental congress meet

May 10, 1775

• Print$$$$
• Set up post office
• Created continental Army led by George Washington.
• Sent Olive Branch asking to protect their rights.
• king hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response.

The Battles of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

• 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 the Americans would NOT be easy.

Second continental congress votes for independence

Jul 2, 1775

• All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence.

Washington arrives on the outskirts of Boston with continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

• Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline.
• Need weapons

"Common Sense" Published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

• The pamphlet inspires more colonists 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.

Second continental congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

• Debate on declaring independence.
• Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document.

The Declaration of independence is signed!

Jul 4, 1776

British surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1827

• Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive.
• Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston. *BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory.