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First Continental Congress meets
-All colonies but Georgia have representatives
-Voted to send a "statement of grievance"
-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 warm 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 around the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH Victory
-Battle of Concord:
-Americans stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston -
Capture of Fort Ticoderoga
-Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
-Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
-AMERICAN victory -
Second Continental Congress Meets
-Printed their own money ($$).
-Set up a post office.
-They created a Continental Army which was led by George Washington.
-Sent an Olive Branch asking the King to protect their rights.
-King hires 30,000 Hessian's Soldiers in response to the letter. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
-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. -
George Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline.
-George Washington needs more fire power (weapons). -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independance
-All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence. New York was unanimous. -
"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 -
British Surrender Boston
-George Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive.
-George Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
-BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN victory. -
Second Continental Congress meets again
-Debate on declaring independence
-Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
The Deceleration of Independence is signed!