road to independence

first 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 hemmer- VA rep. urged colonies to unite against the British

1000's of redcoats in boston

Apr 1, 1775

general Gage brings thousands of British solider to Boston with more on the way.

midnight rider of paul revere

Apr 18, 1775

paul revere rides to the sons of librety in lexington and concord that the '' british are coming''

battles of lexinton / concord

Apr 19, 1775

-1st British of american revolution war
-''shot heard around the world'' -Ralph waldo Emerson
-- British victory
battle of concord
-Americans stop British forces and force them to retread back to Boston
-American victory

capture of fort ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & Ethane 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.
create Continental army led by George Washington.
set out olive branch asking king to protect their rights.
- king hires 30,000 hessian soldiers in respond

battle of bunker hill

Jun 16, 1775

fought on breeds hill.
''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 is not so easy .

Washington arrives on the outskirts of Boston with continental

Jul 15, 1775

realize men are disorganized & need discipline
need weapons

''common sense'' publish by thomas plain

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlets inspire patriotism in more colonies
''every thhing that is right or resoniable pleades for separation. the blood of the slain the weeping voice of nature'' -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 there primary author of the document

second continental congress votes for independence

Jul 2, 1776

all 13 colonies vote yes on declaring independence.

declaration of independence is signed

Jul 4, 1776

declaration of independence is signed