Road to Revolution 5.3 and 5.4

Continental Congress Meets

Oct 5, 1774

All colonist but Georgia have representatives.
Voted to sen a "statement of grievances".
Voted to boycott all British Trade.
Patrick Henery~ VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britian.

1,000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way.

Midnight ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

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

Apr 19, 1775

The Battle of Lexington... the 1st battle of the American Revolutionary War, "shot heard around the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson, and BRITISH victory.
Battle of Concord, Americans stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston, and AMERICAN victory.

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort. They get all supplies in the fort including cannons.

Second Continental Meet

May 10, 1775

Print $$$. Set up Post Office. Created Continental Army led by George Washington. Sent Olive Branch asking a king to protect their right; king hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

Fought on Breed's Hill.
"Don't fire until you see the whites in their eyes" -William Prescott
BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy.

Washington arrives on the outskirts of Boston with Continental troops.

Jul 15, 1775

Realizes men are disorganized and needs discipline. He also needs weapons.

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamplet inspires more colonists to become patriots. "Every thing that is right or resonable pleads for seperation. The blood of slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART'- Thomas Paine, Common Sense.

British surrender to Boston

Mar 17, 1776

Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive. Washington puts cannons in Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston. BRITISH retreat-AMERICAN victory.

Second Continental Congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on declaring independance. Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document.

The Second Continental Congress Votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

The Declaration of Independence is Signed

Jul 4, 1776