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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- Virginia rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain. -
1000'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
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 their own currency
-Set up post office
-Created Continental Army led by George Washington
-Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights/peace
-King hires 30,000 Hessian 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
-Washington realizes men are disorganized and 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 nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART"- Thomas Paine, Common Sense. -
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannon 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
-All 13 colonies vote yes on declaring independence. -
The Declaration of independence is signed!