road to revolution

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Members of Sons of Liberly Dump over 340 chests of tea into Boston Harbor

First Continental Congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

all colonies but georgia have representatives
voted to send a "statement of grievances
Voted to Boycott all British Trade
Patrick Henry - VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain

1,000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

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

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & 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 ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be esey

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
need weapons

"Common sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. the blood of the slain, 'TIS TIME TO PART" -Thomas Paine, Common Sense

British Surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking boston

Second Continental Congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author pf the document

Second Continental Congress votes for In

Jul 2, 1776

the Declaration of independence

Jul 4, 1776