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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 Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the " British are coming...The British are coming.." -
Battles of Lexington & Concord.
**Battle of 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 the supplies in the fort including cannons.
-AMERICAN Victory. -
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.
-king hires 30,000 Hessian's soldiers in response. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
-Fought on Breed's Hill
-BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out or ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy. -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops.
~Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline.
~Need weapons. -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
~Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots.
~ "Every thing 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 his weapons arrive
Washington puts cannons on dorchesters heights overlooking Boston
BRITISH retreat- AMERICAN victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again.
~Debate on declaring independence.
~Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document. -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence.
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The Declaration of Independence is signed!