Road to Revolution 5.3 & 5.4

Continental Congress Meets

Sep 5, 1774

All colonies but Georgia had representatives. Voted to send a "Statement of grievances(complaint)" Voted to Boycott all British Trade Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain

1000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

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

The 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

The Battle of Lexington:
The battle of Lexington was the 1st battle of the Americans Revolutionary war "Shot heard round the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson British Victory The battle of Concord:
The Americans stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston. American victory

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

They print their own Money set up a post office created the continental army led by George Washington sent an olive branch(peace sign) to the king asking him to protect their rights King George III hires 30,000 Hessian soldiers in response

The battle of bunker hill

Jun 16, 1775

fought on breed's hill "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes' -William Prescott British (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans won't be easy

Washington Arrives on the Outskirts of Boston with Continental Troop

Jul 15, 1775

Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline needs 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." —from Common Sense, 1776

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 meets again

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on Declaring Independence Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document

Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

All 13 colonies voted YES on declaring Independence

The declaration of Independence is signed

Jul 4, 1776