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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.
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1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
- General gage brings thousands of Brisish soldiers to Boston with more on the way.
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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.."
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Battles of Lexington and Concord
-Battle of Lexington- 1st battle of American Revolutionary War.
-"shot heard round he world"- Ralph Waldo Emerson
-British victory
- Battle of Concord- Americans stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
- 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 Hessians Soldiers in reponse -
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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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 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 discipline
- need weapons
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"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
-pamphlet inspired more colonist 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 weapons arrive
- Washington puts cannons on Corchester Heights over looking Boston -British retreat- American Victory.
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Second Continental Congress meet again
-debate on declaring independence
- Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
-everyone voted in favor -
The Declaration of Independence is signed!
