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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 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" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH Victory
-Battle of Concord
-Americans stop Britsh 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 Breeds Hill -"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes"- William Prescott -BRITISH victory (Americans ran out of ammo) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy.
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Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-realizes men are disorganized & needed discipline
-Need weapons -
"Common Sense" Published 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 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 declaration -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
-All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed