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First Continental Congress meets
All colonies 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
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 & 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
AMERICAN victory -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN victory -
Second Continental Congress meet
_ Print $$$$$$$$$
_ Set up post service
_ Create Continental Army led by George Washington.
_ Sent Olive Branch ( stands for peace) 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 would NOT be easy -
Washington Arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
_Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
_needs weapons ( especially cannons) -
"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 on Independence
_ All 13 colonies vote Yes on declaring Independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed!!!