Road to Independence

First Continental Congress Meets

Sep 5, 1774

Each colony has a representative, except Georgia
Voted to send a statement of grievances
Voted to boycott all British trade
Patrick Henry encouraged colonists to have pride in America, not just their state.

1000's of Red Coats 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 and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington
-1st battle of the American Revolutionary War,
-The "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

Second Continental Congress meets

May 10, 1775

Print money
Set up post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights, which triggers King to deny it and hire 30,000 Hessian Soldiers in response

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Beneddict Arnold Ethan Allen capture the fort
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
American victory

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

Fought on Breed's Hill
"Don't Fire till you see the whites of their eyes" - William Prescot
British Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy.

"Common Sense" is published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Everything that us 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

Mar 17, 1776

Washington believes his army is ready and the weapons have arrived
Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
British retreat - American victory

Second Continental Congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the Declaration of Independence

Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

All colonies voted in support

Declaration of Indepence is signed!

Jul 4, 1776

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with continental troops

Jul 15, 1776

Washington had disorganized soldiers, which he decided needed discipline
Washington needs weapons