Road to Revolution 5.3 & 5.4

The Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

All the colonies but Georgia had representatives. They sent a statement of grievances to the king and voted to boycott all British trade. Patrick Henry, A Virginia representative, urged colonists to unite against Britain.

Thousands of Readcoats 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."

Battles of Concord and Lexington

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Concord
- Nobody knows who fired the first shot
- "The shot heard around the world" - the emerson dude
- British victory
Battle of Lexington
-Drove the British out
-American victory

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

They decide to start printing money and set up a post office. They created the Continental Army and chose George Washington as the leader. The colonists wanted peace so they sent out Olive Branch petition, but the king denied and hired 30,000 German soldiers

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

• Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort
• Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
• American Victory

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

• Fought on Breed's 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

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 17, 1775

realizes the men are disorganized and need discipline, they need weapons

'Common Sense' published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

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 '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 ours cannons on Dorchester heights overlooking Boston British retreat, american victory

Second Continental Congress meet

Jun 15, 1776

Debates on declaring independence. Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the document.

Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence.

The Declaration of Independence is signed

Jul 4, 1776