American Revolution begins!

First Continental CongressOctober 1744~12 colonies ( not Georgia)

sent representatives to PhiladelphiaFirst Continental Congress was a

gathering of colonial leaders about the relationship between Great Britain and its colonies

Some wanted violent rebellion while others wanted a peaceful resolution

Locked in debate for weeks

First Continental Congress cont:Compromise~

Continue to boycott British goodsTold colonial militia to prepare for war

Drafted the Declaration of RightsList of 10 resolutions to present to King GeorgeIncluded the rights of “life, liberty, and

property”Did NOT seek independence

Agreed to meet again in 1775 if not resolved

Paul Revere’s RideGov. Thomas Gage (MA.) learned of a

stockpile of weapons the colonists were gathering in Concord, MA

April 1775 decided to seize the weaponsPatriot spies thought action would occur but

did not know when/where/howMove to Old North Church tower in Boston to

watch for British movements

Paul Revere’s Ride cont:1 ( lantern) if by land, 2 if by sea in the Old

North Church TowerRevere, Dawes and Prescot would ride on

horseback to warn the minutemenMinutemen-could be ready to fight in a

minute’s notice

Lexington and ConcordApril 19, 1775 British soldiers arrive in

Concord“shot heard round the world” fired by ?Battle ended in minutes

8 colonists dead ,10 woundedBritish 1 soldier wounded

British can’t find weapons and set fire to buildings~minutemen charged forward and fired on British “redcoats” and they retreated

Second Continental CongressKing George refused Declaration of RightsMeet in May 1775 in PhiladelphiaCompromised again-sent word to colonial

authorities asking for new state constitutionsMA. Army becomes the Continental

Army~which included soldiers from all colonies (George Washington Commander)

Olive Branch Petition2nd Continental Congress sends King George

the Olive Branch Petition-asking for peaceful resolution-rejection by King

Washington continues to prepare for war

Battle of Bunker HillColonial army needed suppliesSent Benedict Arnold and 400 soldiers to

New York to attack Fort Ticonderoga (May 1775)

Colonial army pins the British in Boston by digging into Breed’s hill just outside of Boston

British would have to fight uphill~very deadly

2400 British attack 1600 Militia

Battle of Bunker Hill Cont:As British fight up Breed’s hill they are cut

down by Patriot armyTwice retreated and reattemptedPatriots run out of ammunition and retreatPatriots lost but proved could fight with the

BritishBritish won but sacrificed twice as many

soldiers as the Patriots

Dorchester HeightsWashington arrives in Boston and knows he

needs bigger gunsFort Ticonderoga has cannons he wantsHenry Knox bring the cannons 300 miles to

BostonMarch 4,1776-Washington moves army to

Dorchester Heights outside of Boston and over the British army

British retreat to Canada~leaving Boston to Patriots