-
Continental Congress meets
-All colonies but Georgia have a representative.
-Voted to send a "Statement of grievances.
-Voted to boycott all British Trade.
-Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain. -
1000's of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage sends 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
-Battle of Lexington
-1st battle of American Revolution 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 and Ethan Allen capture the fort
-Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
-AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meets
-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
"Don't Fire until you see the whites of their eyes"-William Prescott
-BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans will not be easy. -
Washington arrives on outskirt 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 and weapons have arrived
-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 -
Second Continental Congress votes for declaring Independence
-All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed
