The Battle of Bunker Hill The War Begins The Battle of Bunker Hill

The Second Continental Congress Even though fighting had broke out, many colonists still did not know what to do The 2nd Congress again met in Philadelphia in 1775, some wanted independence some did not, either way they did the following: Chose George Washington as the commander of the newly formed continental army Started printing money The Second Continental Congress Appoints George Washington Commander in Chief

The Olive Branch Petition The 2nd Continental Congress made one last attempt at peace and sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III George III did not answer, instead declared the colonies in “open…rebellion” Parliament votes to send 20,000 troops to colonies An Olive Branch Symbolizes Peace

Patriots Against Loyalists A split had developed in the American colonies Colonists who favored independence called themselves Patriots Those who remained loyal to Britain and the king were called Loyalists Government officials were often Loyalists and many enslaved African Americans sided with the British

Ethan Allen Demands the Surrender of Fort Ticonderoga Ft. Ticonderoga While the 2nd Continental Congress met, Ethan Allen and his “Green Mountain Boys” captured the British Ft. Ticonderoga in upstate New York The Victory was important because: Controlled the main route between the Hudson River and Canada Cannons were obtained and later used to drive the British from Boston Ethan Allen Demands the Surrender of Fort Ticonderoga

The Battle of Bunker Hill By June 1775, the Americans had surrounded British occupied Boston The Americans controlled two surrounding hills called Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill The British try three times to try and take the hill, finally succeeding on the third try Even though the British win, they suffer huge losses, it affected the colonist in that they knew they could fight against the British Washington uses the cannons obtained from Ft. Ticonderoga to drive the British on March 17th 1776

A Long Battle Ahead Despite the American victory at Boston, the British blockade American ports They also strengthen their army through mercenaries The Americans lose a battle outside Quebec, leaving Canada to the British Benedict Arnold is Wounded Outside Quebec leaving the British to Claim Canada