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