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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 and Concord
Battle of Lexington:
-1st battle of American Revolutionary War
-"shot around the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH Victory Battle of Concord:
-Americans stop the 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
-Printing $$$
-Set up post office
-Created Continental Army lead by George Washington
-Sent olive Branch asking the 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 the outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
-Need weapons -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
-pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
-"Everything 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 Dorchester Heights over Boston
-BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
-Debate 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!