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First 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
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1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
- General Gage brings thousands of British soldier to Boston with more on the way.
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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 round the world" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
- BRITISH Victory
- Battle of Concord -
- Americans Stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
- American Victory
- Battle of Lexington -
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Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort.
- Get all supplies in the forst including cannons
- AMERICAN Victory
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Second Continental Congress Meets
- 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 till you see the whites of their eyes" - William Prescott
- BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) 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 & need displine
- Need weapons
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"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
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British Surrender Boston
- Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive.
- Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
- BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory
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Second Continental Congress meet again
- Debate on declaring independence.
- Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document.
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Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
- All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence.
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The Declaration of Independence is signed!