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Continental Congress meets
-All Colonies but Georgia have representatives
-Voted to send a "statement of grievances"
-Voted to Boycott British Trade
-Patrick Henry- VA. rep urged colonists to unite against Britain -
1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
-General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
- Paul rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming ... The British are coming..."
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Battles of Lexington & Concord
-Battle 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
- American Victory -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold & 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 post office -Created Continental Army led by George Washington
- Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights -Kings hire 30,000 Hassians Soldiers in response
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Battle of Bunker Hill
fought on Breed's Hill
-"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" - William Prescott -
Washington arrives on outskirt of Boston with Continental Troops
- Realize men are disorganized and need discipline -Need weapons
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"Common Sense" published by Thomad Paine
-Pamphlet inspires more colonist to become patriots
-"Everything that is right or pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voices of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" - Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Height overlooking Boston
-British retreat- American Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
-Debate on declaring independence
-Tomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Declaration of Independence is signed
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Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
