Road to Independence

First Continental Congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

-All colonies but Georgia have representatives
-Voted to send a "statement of grievances"
-Voted to boycott British Trade
-Patrick Henry- VA Rep. urged colonists ro 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 Brithish are coming... The British are coming..."

Battle of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

• Battle of Lexington 1st battle of American Revolutionary War "Short 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 Meet

May 10, 1775

• Print $$$
• Set up a 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

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

• Benedict 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
• "Dont 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 the Outskirts of Boston with Continental Troops

Jul 15, 1775

• Realizes men are disorganized need discipline
• Need weapons

"Common Sense" Published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

• Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
• "Every thing that is right or reasonable pleades 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 weapons arrive -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 document

Second Contiental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

• All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence

The Declaration of Independence is signed!

Jul 4, 1776