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Continental congress meets
-all colonies but Georgia has representatives
-voted to send a "statement of grievances" -voted to boycott British trade -
1,000 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 and 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 -
second continental congress meet
-print money
-set up post office
-created continental army led by George Washington
-sent olive branch petition asking king George the third to protect their rights
-king hires 30000 hessian solders in response -
capture of fort Ticonderoga
-Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort at night
-Americans capture much needed supplies and ammunition in fort including cannons
-American victory -
Battle of bunker hill
-fought on breeds hill
- "Dont fire until you see the white of their eyes"
-BRITISH victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating American would NOT be easy -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline
-need weapons -
"Common sense" published by Thomas paine
-Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
-"Everything 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 and weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester heights overlooking Boston
-British retreat- American victory -
Second continetal 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 declaring independence -
The declaration of independence is signed
