the revolution begins
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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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Revolution BeginsThe 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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