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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.
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1,0000's of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more one 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 and Concord
- Battle of Lexington- -1st battle of American Revolutionary War -The shot heard round the world-Ralph Waldo Emerson -British victory
- Battle of concord- Americans stop the British and force them to retreat back to Boston -American victory
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capture of Fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort.
- Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
- American Victory
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Second Continental Congress meet
Print $$$$$
Set up a 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 and need discipline
- Need weapons
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Common Sense published by Thomas Paine
- Pamphlet inspires more colonist to become patriots
- Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, "Ris Times to Part" -Thomas Paine, Common sense
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British Surrender Boston
- Washington believes his army is ready and 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
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The Declaration of Independence is signed