Moving Towards Independence Chapter 5, Section 4

Another Congressional Meeting On May 10, 1775 the Second Continental Congress convened. Individuals such as Samuel Adams, John Adams, George Washington, John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin were in attendance.

Second Continental Congress The Second Continental Congress was in charge of governing the colonies. In addition, the Second Continental Congress began printing money, set up a post office (to be ran by Ben Franklin) and created the Continental Army to fight against Britain in a more organized way than militias could.

General Washington John Adams also nominated George Washington to lead the Continental Army.

Olive Branch Petition The Second Continental Congress offered Britain one last chance to avoid all-out war. In July the Congress sent a petition (formal request) to King George III. This request was called the Olive Branch Petition. King George III not only rejected the petition, he hired 30,000 German troops (Hessians) to fight alongside the British troops.

An Important American Victory On May 10th, 1775, an important battle took place in northern New York. A group of colonial militiamen called the “Green Mountain Boys” (led by Ethan Allen) took over fort Ticonderoga from the British. The colonists seized 30 cannons. Washington would use the cannons against the British at the “Battle of Boston”.

Battle of Bunker Hill The colonists occupied two hills across from Boston Harbor: Breed’s hill and Bunker Hill. These provided strategic positions against the British who currently occupied Boston. On June 15, 1775 the British took charge up both hills. Though they were successful in taking the hills, they suffered great casualties. This battle gave confidence to the Colonial militia that they could hang with the trained British military.

The Heroes Of Bunker Hill Peter Salem and Salem Poor were former slaves who fought for the Massachusetts militia. During the Battle of Bunker hill: Peter Salem Mortally wounded British major John Pitcairn. Salem Poor mortally wounded British Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie. Both are considered as important events that lead to colonial victory

The Colonies Take the Offensive George Washington arrived outside of Boston in July 1775. When he reached Boston, Washington found members of the militia growing in numbers, however, he knew they lacked discipline, organization and leadership. Washington began shaping these armed civilians into a functional army.

Battle of Boston On March 17th, 1776 the cannons from Ft. Ticonderoga arrived and Washington placed them on high ground overlooking Boston. Outnumbered and outgunned, The British soon left Boston. Washington led his troops to victory by forcing the British to surrender in Boston.

All Out War The battles of Lexington, Concord, and Boston signified that the Revolutionary War had begun. Most colonist dreamed of freedom and the start of a new independent country. England hoped to restore order and maintain her wealthy overseas colonies. VS.