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First Continental Congress Meeting
- 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.
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1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
- General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way.
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Midnight ride of Paul Revere
- Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming.."
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Battles of Lexington and Concord
- Battle of Lexington: -- 1st battle of the 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
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Second Continental Congress meet
- Printed money
- Set up post office
- Created Continental Army led by George Washington
- Sent an Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights -- King hires 30,000 Hessian Soldiers in response
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Battle of Bunker Hill
- fought on Breeds 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
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Washington arrives on the outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
- Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline
- Need weapons
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Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort
- Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
- AMERICAN Victory
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"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
- pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
- "Every thing 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
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British Surrender 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 meet again
- Debate on declaring independence
- Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document
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Second Continental Congress votes for independence
- All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence
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The Declaration of Independence is signed!
