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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 colonist 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 -
Battle of Bunker Hill
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. -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
Need weapons -
"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
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
Debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is 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!