Road to Revolution Timeline

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

1000's of redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brings thousands of British troops 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 Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington-
-1st battle of american revolutionary war
-shot heard around 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

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN Victory

The second continental congress meets

May 10, 1775

Print $$$$
set up post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
king hires 30,000 Hessian Soldiers in response

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 15, 1775

Men are disorganized and need discipline
Need weapons

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
Every thing is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain the weeping voice of nature cries TIS TIME TO PART-Thomas Paine

British Surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
British retreat American Victory

Second Continental Congress Meets Again

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is 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