-
Continental Congress Meets
-All Colonies but Georgia has representatives.
-Voted to send a "Statement of Grievance."
-Voted to Boycott all British trade. -
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 the the "British are coming... The British are coming." -
Battles of Lexington and 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.
-AMERICA victory -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
-Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort.
-Americans capture mush needed supplies and ammunition in the fort including cannons. -
Second Continental Congress Meet
-Print money (Change from British pounds to American dollars.)
-Set up a post office.
-Created Continental army led by George Washington.
-Sent Olive Branch Petition asking King George III to protect their rights.
-King hires 30,000 Hessian Solders 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 would NOT be easy. -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline.
-Need weapons. -
Second Continental Congress meet again
-Debate on declaring independence.
-Thomas Jefferson is the 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!
-
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive.
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston.
-BRITISH retreat - AMERICA Victory -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
-Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots.
-"Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for seperation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, "TIS TIME TO PART" -Thomas Paine, Common Sense