-
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 thousand 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 & 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 around the world" Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH victory
Battle of Concord:
-Americans Stop British & 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
-2nd 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 -
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 Pine
-Pamphlet inspired more colonists to become patriots
-"Every thing that is right//reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British Surrendee 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
-
The Declaration of Independence is Signed
