-
Continental Congress meets
- All colonies but the Georgia colony have representatives
- The colonist voted to send a "statement of grievances" *They then boycotted all British trade *A man named Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain
-
1,000's of Readcoats in Boston
- General Gage brings thousands of British soldier to Boston with more on the way
-
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
Paul revere rides to warn the Son 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 hear 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 and Ethan Allen capture the fort
- Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
- american victory
-
second continental congress meet
- print money
- set up post office *created continental Army led by George Washington *Sent olive branch asking to protect their rights -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 outskirt of Boston with Continental troops
- realizes men are disorganized and need discipline
- need weapons
-
"common sense" published by Thomas Paine
*pamphlet inspires more colonist to become patriots
* " every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for operation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'Tis Time to part' - Thomas pine , common sense -
British Surrender Boston
*Washington believes his army is ready and weapons have arrives
* 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 congers votes for independence
-
The declaration of Independence is signed!
