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Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia have representatives voted to send a "statement of grievences" voted to boycott all British Trade. Patrik Henery- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain -
1000's of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight rude 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 & Concord
Battle of Lexington-
1st battle of American Revolutionary war
"shot heard around the world"- Ralf 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 -
Battle of Bunker Hill
fought on Breed's Hill
"Dont 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 Contintental troops
-realizes men are disorganized and need discipline
-needs weapons -
"Common Sense" publish by Thomas Paine
-pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
-"Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping vouce of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" -Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
-BRITISH retreat- AMERICAN Victory -
Second Contintntal Congress meet again
- debate on 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
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The Declaration of Independence is signed!
