Section 4 The War Begins

Colonial Leaders Emerge May 10, 1775 Second Continental Congress meets. This was the same group of men from the First Continental Congress along with new men. Second Continental Congress began to govern the colony. Set up a post office Printing of money Created an army John Adams nominated George Washington to be commander in chief of the army.

CHOOSING SIDES As American colonists learned about these battles, they had to choose a side The Patriots were determined to fight the British to the end – until American independence was won. Those who chose to stay with Britain were called Loyalists. They did not consider unfair taxes a good reason to rebel

The Olive Branch Petition - George Washington sent a petition to the king called the Olive Branch Petition. It told the king the colonists want peace. Asked the king to protect the rights of the colonists. King George refused to receive the petition. He prepared for war. He hired 30,000 German troops to send to America and fight beside British troops.

More Military Action Benedict Arnold – asked to create a militia of 400 to seize Fort Ticonderoga in New York from the British. Ethan Allen , from Vermont, was also raising a militia to help Benedict Arnold. May 10, 1775 the two groups snuck up on the British The British surrendered Americans gained new weapons - cannons

Drama with Benedict Arnold Arnold conspired with the British and led raids against the Americans. He then became a general in the British army. Building Forces Committees of correspondence asked for volunteers to join the continental army. Soon the militia in the Boston area had over 20,000 people

The Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775 1200 militiamen prepare for fighting at Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill British assemble at the bottom of Breed’s Hill Americans were low on ammunition, so American General William Prescott shouted the order “Don’t shoot until you see the white’s of their eyes!” The Americans fired and forced the British to retreat. The British won after the third attack In the end the Americans ran out of ammo and had to withdraw…. The British had won. More than 1000 British soldiers died and were wounded The British had learned: It will not be quick or easy to defeat the Americans

The Colonials take the Offensive July 1775 George Washington saw the number of troops in the continental army was growing, but he also saw they lacked organization, discipline and leadership. By March 1776, Washington felt the army was ready to fight. 1st orders of Washington were to circle Boston with cannons and bombard the British troops inside Boston. The British troops withdrew from the city and boarded their ships and left Boston. January 1776 Support for absolute independence was still growing.

Common Sense - Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense that captured the attention of American colonists. He called for complete independence from Great Britain. He said it was “common sense” to stop following the king. He said if your king is not providing you with the freedom he promised then it is “common sense” to want to find something that will provide for us.