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 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 and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington- first battle of the American Revolutionary War, "shot heard round the world"-Ralph Waldo Emerson, BRITISH VICTORY
Battle of Concord- Americans stop the British and force them to retreat back to Boston, AMERICAN VICTORY

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

~Printed money
~Set up the post office
~Created Continental Army led by George Washington
~Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
~The King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in
response

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort. The Americans get all the supplies in the fort including the cannons. AMERICAN VICTORY (no shots fired)

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 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 and need discipline
~Needs weapons

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

~ 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 Surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

~ Washington believes his army is ready and 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 Continental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

all 13 colonies supported Independence in a vote, saying YES.

The Declaration of Independence is signed!

Jul 4, 1776

insert fireworks going off