Road to Independence

First Continental Congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

• All the colonies bit Georgia have representatives.
  • voted to send a "statement of grievances"
    • (a list of complaints)
  • 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.

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... The British are coming..."

Battles of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

• 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

May 10, 1775

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

Second Continental Congress meet

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 Hessians Soldiers in response

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 17, 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 easy.

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

• Realizes men are disorganized need discipline
  • Need weapons