Road to Revolution 5.3 & 5.4

Continental Congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

-All colonists but Georgia have representatives.
-Voted to send a "statement of grievances"
- Voted to Boycott all British trade.
- Patrick Henry -VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain.

1,000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

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

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 and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington:
- First battle of the 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

May 10, 1775

• Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture fort Ticonderoga.
• The men get all the the supplies that are in the fort including cannons.
• AMERICAN VICTORY

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

• Print $$$$
• Set up post office.
• Created a Continental Army led by Gorge Washington.
• Sent Olive Branch asking king to protect their rights.
• King hires 30,000 Hessian Soldiers in response.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

• The battle 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 that defeating the Americans will NOT be easy.

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental Troops

Jul 15, 1775

• Gorge Washington realizes that his men are disorganized and need discipline. -Gorge Washington and his army is also in need of 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' - Thomas Paine, Common Sense

British Surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

-Washington believes his army is ready due to training camp, and weapons arrive.
- Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston.
- Not a single shot is fired before the British retreat - AMERICAN VICTORY!!!

Second Continental Congress meet AGAIN

Jun 15, 1776

-Debate on declaring independence.
-Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document. (The Declaration of Independence.)

Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

The Declaration of Independence is signed!

Jul 4, 1776