The Revolution Begins

The Big Idea

The tensions between the colonies and Great Britain led to armed conflict in 1775.

Main Ideas

• The First Continental Congress demanded certain rights from Great Britain.

• Armed conflict between British soldiers and colonists broke out with the “shot heard ’round the world.”

• The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army to fight the British.

• In two early battles, the army lost control of Boston but then regained it.

Main Idea 1: The First Continental Congress demanded certain rights from Great Britain.

• First Continental Congress

• October,1774--Meeting in Philadelphia

• Delegates from all colonies except Georgia attended.

• Meet in response to Intolerable Acts and the closing of Boston Harbor

• Concerned about relationship between colonies and Britain

• Debate possibility of peaceful solution

• Resolve to continue to boycott trade with Britain and prepare the militia for war.

Declaration of Rights• 10 Resolutions for King George III

• Included the right to “life, liberty, and property.”

• Goal was not separation from Britain

• Goal = State concerns and ask King to correct the problems

• Patrick Henry = one of first to promote independence (Famous speech: “…give me liberty or give me death!”

• Colonists who chose to fight for independence from Britain became known as Patriots.

Main Idea 2: Armed conflict between British soldiers and colonists broke out with the “shot heard ’round the world.”

The Ride of Paul Revere•Colonial militia preparations worried Britain

•Stockpile of weapons in Concord (20 miles from Boston)

•Massachusetts governor, Thomas Gage, sent British troops to seize weapons. Colonist learn of the plan-

•Robert Newman: climbs steeple at Old North Church to watch for British (“One if by land, two if by sea…”)

•Two lights! -- Paul Revere and William Dawes rode to warn colonists.

•Local militia, minutemen, get ready for battle.

Battles at Lexington and Concord

• April 19, 1775– British troops arrived in Lexington and colonists fire the “shot heard ‘round the world.”

• They are badly outnumbered and quickly defeated

• Paul Revere arrested – Samuel Prescott warns citizens at Concord

• British Redcoats continue on to Concord – Weapons were hidden– British frustrated—burn buildings– Minutemen attack—Redcoats = Easy Target!

• British retreat back to Boston & colonist pursue

Second Continental Congress

Continental Army

•King George refuses to address Declaration of Rights

•May 1775 - Delegates from twelve colonies met in Philadelphia

•First attempt at Republican government (A republican form of government –named after the Roman Republic--is a type of government in which the citizens have an active role in the government, and the government is not headed by a hereditary ruler such as a king.)

• Some called for peace, others for war.

•Compromised—created army but also sent Olive Branch Petition to King George III

Main Idea 3: The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army to fight the British.

Second Continental Congress (cont.)

• States to write new state constitutions

• Massachusetts militia became the Continental Army.

• Virginian, George Washington, became commander

• July 5—Olive Branch Petition– Final attempt at peace– King George III refuses

Main Idea 4: In two early battles, the army lost control of Boston but then regained it.

Fort Ticonderoga

• Patriots needed weapons

• May 10, 1775 – Benedict Arnold attacked British at Fort Ticonderoga to seize weapons. Colonial victory!

Battle of Bunker Hill (a.k.a. Breed’s Hill)

• British trapped in Boston

• Colonists fortified Breed’s Hill to prevent British escape from Boston.

• Army of 2,400 Redcoats fought 1,600 Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

• Americans eventually ran out of ammo and were forced to retreat--but it proved their strength

• More than 1,000 British casualties.

Dorchester Heights

• General Washington arrived in Boston and took command.

• Sends Colonel Henry Knox to get cannons from Fort Ticonderoga.

• March 1776--Washington moved his army to Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston

• Cannons and troops positioned on Nook’s Hill—overlooking British General Howe

• The British were forced to retreat.

• Colonists control Boston!

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