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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 Rever
*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 office.
*Created Continental Army led by George Washington.
*Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights.
-King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response.
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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.
*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 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.
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THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS SIGNED!
