Moving Toward Independence
Road to Independence:1763-1776
Continental Congress is Formed
“Acts” outrage people of all colonies British actions threaten colonial rights
and liberty June 1774- Committee of
Correspondence of Boston Call mtg. of colonial reps
Aug. 1774- delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) meet in Philly 55 men Major players include…
Samuel and John Adams, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, John Hancock
Draft letter to Parliament Demand repeal of all “Acts” Ban all trade w/ Britain until they comply All colonies to form militias (colonial
volunteer armies) Set date for May to meet again if demands
not met
The First Battles (Britain Sends Troops)
Conflict over Intolerable Acts turns Massachusetts into armed camp Both Groups (militia and British)
Mass. colonial militia call themselves “Minutemen” b/c ready in minute’s notice
Parliament sends General Thomas Gage and 6,000 “Redcoats” to occupy Boston His instructions were to take
weapons from militia and arrest leaders
Learns colonials storing guns and ammo in Concord (20 miles NW of Boston)
18 April 1775- sends 700 Redcoats to Concord to
“seize and destroy all artillery and ammunition you can find.”
Alerting the Colonists 18 April 1775-
Dr. Joseph Warren walks streets of Boston to observe the acts of the Redcoats
Redcoats form and march north out of the city
Warren rushes to alert Paul Revere and William Dawes (Sons of Liberty)
Revere, Dawes and others ride to Lexington and Concord to warm the colonials Sam Adams and John Hancock are
to be arrested in Lexington Moonlit ride they gallop off yelling
“the regulars are coming!” to every home along the way Revere caught and arrested Dawes and others get the message
out
Listen m
y child
ren
and you sh
all
hear…
Fighting @ Lexington and Concord
Redcoats arrive in Lexington @ dawn 70 “Minutemen” meet them in center of
city ready to fight Standoff ensues
Suddenly… Someone fires- no one knows who, or what
side 1st shot of the Revolutionary War
When smoke clears 8 Minutemen lay dead 1 Redcoat wounded
Redcoats continue their march to Concord Found not much left, turned back for
Boston Outside of Concord, Minutemen gathered
Hiding in bushes waiting for Redcoats As passed, showered the Redcoats with
bullets 1,000’s soon joined in grabbing their
muskets and running toward the gunfire all the way back to Boston By time reached Boston, 174 Redcoats
were wounded and 73 killed
The Shot Heard Round
the World
More Military ActionShortly after…
Capt. Benedict Arnold of Connecticut militia ordered to take Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain
Ethan Allen & Vermont’s militia given same order
Join together become “Green Mountain Boys”
Catch Brits by surpriseTake fort on 10 May 1775
In Massachusetts…Colonial militia’s numbers grow
to 20,000+!!!For weeks the 2 armies nervously
wait to see what happens next
Colonel Benedict
Arnold
The Battle of Bunker Hill 16 June 1775-
1200 colonial militia move into Bunker and Breeds Hills under Col. William Prescott
Across harbor from Boston Dug in for protection
British Gen. William Howe (replaced Gage) Sends troops up the hills
Militia tired from digging all night now face British Army! Prescott orders militia…
“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”
Colonials beat back charge 4 times killing over a 1000!!! Unfortunately… run out of gun
powder and forced to retreat GIVES British victory, but it’s a
costly one
Colonial Leaders Emerge10 May 1775- 2nd Continental
Congress assembles Delegate Heavyweights
John & Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson
Began to govern the colonies Printed Money Established committees to
communicate w/ natives and other countries
Even set up a Post Office Most important…
Created the Continental Army George Washington General in
Command
Despite Battles of Lexington and Concord, many not prepared to break away form England
Olive Branch PetitionWashington leaves to take
charge of army in BostonDelegates offer Britain last
chance to avoid all-out-war July 1775- send petition, or
formal request to King George III Olive Branch Petition
Asks King to protect the rights of the colonists which Parliament seemed determined to destroy
King George III refuses to even read it!!!
Instead ready's for war Hires 30,000 Hessians as
mercenaries to fight along Brits German army for hire, known for
ruthlessness
The Colonies Take the Offensive Meanwhile, Congress learned Brits in Canada
plan to attack NY Decide to strike first Patriot force from Fort Ticonderoga, led by
Benedict Arnold attack and conquer Montreal Continue onto Quebec
Failed to take Quebec though Patriots waited outside of Quebec B4 returning
to Fort Ticonderoga
Washington reaches Boston just after Battle of Bunker Hill Numbers growing everyday, but young,
inexperienced, and undisciplined Begins work on shaping them up
Colonial civilians into Continental Army
March 1776- Washington feels they’re ready Form horseshoe around British-occupied
Boston Begin bombing Brits lead by General Howe Retreat to ships in harbor and sail to Nova
Scotia, Canada 17 March 1776- Washington leads troops into
Boston
Common SenseLate 1775 - early 1776, most
still hope to avoid war, hope call for independence growing
January 1776- Thomas Paine publishes pamphlet called Common SenseCalls for complete
independence from BritainAgues that it is “common
sense” to stop following a bully and stand up for ourselves as a nation
Not a squabble over taxes, but a “struggle for freedom… the cause of all mankind”
The Colonies Declare Independence 2nd Continental Congress filled w/
debate Central issue
Should they declare themselves independent nation?
April 1776- NC delegates instructed to vote for independence if proposed
7 June 1776- Richard Henry Lee (VA) proposes resolution of independence Congress debates resolution
Some think not ready Others believe battles have already
decided our fight All fear British power!
While debate, form committee to draft Declaration of Independence John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas
Jefferson, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman
Jefferson selected to write it; draws inspiration from English philosopher John Locke
People born w/ inalienable rights; life liberty, and pursuit of happiness
4 July 1776- Voted on and adopted
Choosing SidesAs colonists heard of battles…
Faced major decision Loyalist or Patriot?
Loyalists: colonials who wanted to stay loyal to crown Did not consider unfair taxes
and poor laws reason enough to break away
Also Brits best army in world Going to win, why end up hanged
as a traitor?
Patriots: colonials wanted freedom and independence from the crown Felt these taxes and unfair laws
were just the beginning and would stop at nothing to be treated as free, independent men
PATRIOT Parkway
LOYALIST Lane