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Continental Congress meets
- All colonies but Georgia have representatives
- Voted to Boycott all British Trade.
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1000's of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way.
April 1, 1775 -
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 around the world"- Ralph Waldo Emerson
-British Victory
Battle of Concord
-Americans stop the British and force them to retreat back to Boston.
-American Victory -
Capture of Fort Tinconderoga
- 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 decides to hire 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response. -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
- Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline -Need weapons
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Battle of Bunker Hill
-fought on Breed's Hill
-"Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes"- Willian Prescott
-British Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americas would NOT be easy. -
"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
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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!
