road to revolution 5.3&5.4

continental congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

all colonies but georgia have representitives, 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 are in boston

Apr 1, 1775

general Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the war

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"

battles of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

battle of Lexington: 1st battle of american revolutionary war, "shot heard around the world", british victory

capture of fort ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold& Ethan Allen capture the fort
get all supplies in the fort including cannons

the second continental congress

May 10, 1775

they created a post office,started making their own colonial money, they started their own army, and they sent an olive branch asking king to protect their rights

battle of bunker hill

Jun 16, 1775

fought on breeds hills
"don't fire until you see the whites of there eyes"
BRITISH victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learned that fighting Americans would not be easy

"common sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. the blood on the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part'

British surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
Washington pits canons on DorChester heights overlooking Boston
british retreat- AMERICAN WONNNNN

second continental congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document

second continental congress for independence

Jul 2, 1776

all 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence

the declaration of independence is signed

Jul 4, 1776

woohoo america!!