Continental Congress

September 1774Every colony except Georgia

Fighting Native American rebellion, needed British support and supplies

Focus on free debateEquality of participants

First Continental Congress

Response to Intolerable ActsOrganize a boycott of goodsLetter of grievances to King George III

Loyalty to British Crown but protesting Parliament’s right to tax the colonists

May 1775After Lexington and Concord

Second Continental Congress

Focus on free debateEquality of participantsMajor “founding fathers” present

Mass – Sam Adams, John Adams, John HancockNew York – John Jay, Alexander HamiltonVirginia – George Washington, Thomas

Jefferson, James Madison, Patrick HenryPennsylvania – Benjamin Franklin

How did it work?

Conservatives – John Dickinson of PA – return to pre- 1763What changed in 1763?

Moderates – Thomas Jefferson of VA and majority if delegates – king was the sole authority over coloniesNOT PARLIAMENT

Radicals – Sam and John Adams of MA – total independence

Differing Opinions

George Washington as GeneralTall, quiet, confidentRefused to be paid until end of

warFrom VirginiaExperienceUnanimously elected

Continental Army

George to Martha Washington“You may believe me my dear, when I assure

you in the most solemn manner, that’s, so far from seeking this appointment, I have used every endeavor in my power to avoid it.”

John to Abigail Adams“I can now inform you that the Congress have

made Choice of the modest and virtuous, the amiable, generous and brave George Washington”

Letters

Occurred on Breed’s HillJune 16, 1775Lead by Colonel William PrescottBuilt fortifications to prevent British from

taking hills surrounding Boston

Battle of Bunker Hill

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”Lack of ammunitionNeeded each shot to count

British attacked three timesOn the third time – hand to hand combatPatriots retreatedBritish too tired and devastated to pursue

CasualtiesBritish – 200 dead, 800 woundedPatriots – 100 dead, 300 wounded

British won the battle and the hills outside of Boston

What did the Americans get?Morale boost

American Patriotism is able to defeat British military

British learned that this wasn’t going to be crushing a rebellion, but a tough war

Outcome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrGEQvAZQtA

Washington’s Nomination

Ragtag groupPoor trainingPoorly supplied

FoodWeapons

Poor leadershipOfficers fighting and undermining each other

Washington was a huge factor in successUnited army, kept morale high

Washington Takes Command!

States had to contribute soldiers based on their populations

Army was split into regiments based on statesWashington reorganized entire army to

become one army

Personal appeal to King George IIITried to avoid full-scale warAsking King George to help colonists and

Parliament resolve differencesKing dismissed it, declared colonies were in

rebellion

Olive Branch Petition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JTxVHQAp8w

King George’s Response to Olive Branch