The Battles of:Lexington and ConcordBunker Hill

Minutemen

Beginning of military preparations

Minutemen = colonial civilian soldiers

Stockpiled firearms and gunpowder outside Boston

The British are Coming!

Midnight riders (organized by Paul Revere) sent to warn Adams and Hancock that the British are coming!

British reach Lexington and open fire on retreating Minutemen (“Shot heard ‘round the world”)

British march on to Concord (where they found empty arsenal)

Minutemen open fire on Redcoats

Second Continental Congress Debates colonies next

move

George Washington appointed commander of Continental Army

Congress authorized printing of paper money to pay the troops

Congress organized committee to deal with foreign nations

The Battle of Bunker Hill

Gen. Gage decides to strike Continental army on Breed’s Hill (north of Bunker Hill)

Colonists hold fire until they can “see the white of their eyes”

Colonists shoot advancing redcoats

Colonists lost 450 men

British lost 1,000 men

Deadliest battle of the war

Misnamed battle!

Olive Branch Petition

July 8, 1775 Congress sends King George III “Olive Branch Petition”– Urging a return to “the former harmony” between

Britain and the colonies

King George rejects petition, issues proclamation stating the colonies were in rebellion and urges Parliament to order a naval blockade of American coast