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Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia have representatives. They voted to send a "statement of grievances". They also 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 warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... the British are coming.." -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
*Battles 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, AMERICAN Victory -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort and get all supplies in the fort including cannons. -
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 Hessian Soldiers in response -
Battle of Bunker Hill
It was 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) The 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 the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
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The Declaration of Independence is signed!
