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First continental congress meets
-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
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere rides to warn the Songs of liberty in Lexington and Concord that the " British are coming... The British are coming.." -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington- 1st official battle of American Revolutionary War.
- "shot heard round 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 Ticonderoga
- 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
-Printing their own currency
- created a postal service.
- Create the continental army, led by George Washington.
- Send Olive Branch petition asking the King to protect their rights. - King hires 30,000 hessian soldiers in response. -
Battle Of Bunker Hill
- fought on Breed's Hill
- "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes"- William Prescott.
- BRITISH Victory ( Americans ran out out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy.
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Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized and need disicipline.
- Need weapons -
" Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
- pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots.
- " Everything that is right and reasonable pleases for seperation".The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART'- Thomas Paine, Common Sense.
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British Surrender Boston
- Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive.
- Washington puts cannons of Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston.
- British retreat- American victory.
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Second Continetnal Congress meet again
- debate on declaring independence.
- Thomas Jefferrson is the primary author of the document.
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Second continental Congress votes for Independance
- All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence.
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The declaration of independence is signed.
