Road to Independence

By stu.lennonj1@mishawaka.k12.in.us

  • First continental Congress Meets

    All colonies, excluding Georgia, have representatives.

  • Thousands of Redcoats in Boston

    General Gage brings in thousands of British troops to Boston, with more on the way.

  • Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

    Paul Revere rides his horse at midnight through Lexington and Concord warning people that the "British are Coming."

  • Battles of Lexington and Concord

    Battle of Lexington
    - First battle of Revolutionary War
    - "Shot heard round the world" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
    -British Victory
    Battle of Concord
    - Americans stop British, and force them to retreat to Boston
    - American Victory

  • Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

    Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture Fort Ticonderoga
    Got all supplies from fort, including cannons
    American victory

  • Second Continental Congress Meet

    Printing Money
    Set up post office
    Created Continental Army, led by George Washington
    Sent Olive Branch to ask the king to protect their rights
    - King hires 300,000 Hessian soldiers

  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    Fought on Breed's Hill
    "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" - William Prescottt

  • Washington arrives on the 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
    "Everything 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 Surrenders Boston

    Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
    Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston
    BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN victory.

  • Second Continental Congress meets again

    Debate on declaring independence
    Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document