Road To Independence A Call To Arms p.141

The Continental Congress Colonial leaders realized they needed the colonies to act together in their opposition to British policies.Colonial leaders realized they needed the colonies to act together in their opposition to British policies. In Sept , 55 men arrived in Philadelphia to establish a political body to represent American interests and challenge British control.In Sept , 55 men arrived in Philadelphia to establish a political body to represent American interests and challenge British control. The men were sent as delegates from all the colonies except Georgia.The men were sent as delegates from all the colonies except Georgia. This new organization was the Continental Congress.This new organization was the Continental Congress.

Delegates to Congress Major political leaders attended:Major political leaders attended: –MA: Sam Adams and John Adams –NY: John Jay –VA: Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry and George Washington.

Decisions of the Congress First, they drafted a statement of grievances calling for the repeal of 13 acts of Parliament passed since 1763.First, they drafted a statement of grievances calling for the repeal of 13 acts of Parliament passed since They declared these laws violated the colonists’ rights.They declared these laws violated the colonists’ rights. They voted to boycott all British goods and trade.They voted to boycott all British goods and trade. They endorsed the Suffolk Resolves – resolutions put together by people of Suffolk County, MA.They endorsed the Suffolk Resolves – resolutions put together by people of Suffolk County, MA.

The First Battles Towns formed militia’s to fight against the British.Towns formed militia’s to fight against the British. Minutemen boasted they would be ready to fight in a minute.Minutemen boasted they would be ready to fight in a minute.

Britain Sends Troops King George announced to Parliament that New England colonies were “in a state of rebellion” and “blows must decide” who would control America.King George announced to Parliament that New England colonies were “in a state of rebellion” and “blows must decide” who would control America. Sir Thomas Gage had instructions to take away the weapons of the MA militia and arrest the leaders.Sir Thomas Gage had instructions to take away the weapons of the MA militia and arrest the leaders. Gage learned that the militia was storing arms and ammunition at Concord, near Boston.Gage learned that the militia was storing arms and ammunition at Concord, near Boston. He ordered sent 700 troops under Francis Smith to Concord.He ordered sent 700 troops under Francis Smith to Concord.

Alerting the troops Paul Revere and William Dawes were alerted by 2 lights in the steeple of the North Chapel in Boston that troops were forming rank and beginning to march in Boston Common.Paul Revere and William Dawes were alerted by 2 lights in the steeple of the North Chapel in Boston that troops were forming rank and beginning to march in Boston Common. They rode to Lexington to warn Sam Adams alerting minutemen along the way.They rode to Lexington to warn Sam Adams alerting minutemen along the way.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord After marching all night, the redcoats reach Lexington at dawn.After marching all night, the redcoats reach Lexington at dawn. At the center of town they found 70 minutemen ready to fight.At the center of town they found 70 minutemen ready to fight. A shot was fired, and then both sides let loose with an exchange of bullets.A shot was fired, and then both sides let loose with an exchange of bullets. This was declared as the “shot heard ‘round the world” by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson in The Concord Hymn.This was declared as the “shot heard ‘round the world” by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson in The Concord Hymn. In the end, 8 minutemen died.In the end, 8 minutemen died.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord The British troops continued marching to Concord.The British troops continued marching to Concord. When they arrived, they discovered most ammo and gunpowder had already been removed, but they destroyed the remainder.When they arrived, they discovered most ammo and gunpowder had already been removed, but they destroyed the remainder. The minutemen were waiting at the North Bridge.The minutemen were waiting at the North Bridge. In the end, at least 174 redcoats were wounded and 73 died.In the end, at least 174 redcoats were wounded and 73 died.

More Military Action After the battles at Lexington and Concord, Benedict Arnold raised a force of 400 to seize Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain.After the battles at Lexington and Concord, Benedict Arnold raised a force of 400 to seize Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. Fort Ticonderoga was rich with military supplies.Fort Ticonderoga was rich with military supplies. Arnold joined with Ethan Allen’s forces, the Green Mountain boys, and caught the British by surprise. The British surrendered.Arnold joined with Ethan Allen’s forces, the Green Mountain boys, and caught the British by surprise. The British surrendered. Later Arnold later conspired to surrender West Point to the British. Arnold became an officer in the British army.Later Arnold later conspired to surrender West Point to the British. Arnold became an officer in the British army.

Building Forces After the battles of Lexington and Concord, calls for volunteers to join the militia were sent out.After the battles of Lexington and Concord, calls for volunteers to join the militia were sent out. Both the American and British troops waited nervously for several weeks for the other to make the next move.Both the American and British troops waited nervously for several weeks for the other to make the next move.

The Battle of Bunker Hill In June 1775, about 1,200 militia men set up fortifications at Bunker Hill and nearby Breed’s Hill, across the Boston harbor.In June 1775, about 1,200 militia men set up fortifications at Bunker Hill and nearby Breed’s Hill, across the Boston harbor. This was a strategic location because it was a high point overlooking the water.This was a strategic location because it was a high point overlooking the water. The British knew they must drive the American forces from their.The British knew they must drive the American forces from their. The British forces charged up the hill.The British forces charged up the hill. American colonel, William Prescott, knowing the American army was low on ammunition, ordered, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”American colonel, William Prescott, knowing the American army was low on ammunition, ordered, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

The Battle of Bunker Hill When the Americans opened fire, the British retreated.When the Americans opened fire, the British retreated. The British charged 2 more times, and the American army was forced to surrender when they ran out of ammunition.The British charged 2 more times, and the American army was forced to surrender when they ran out of ammunition. British won, but over 1,000 redcoats were dead or wounded.British won, but over 1,000 redcoats were dead or wounded. Britain realized defeating the Americans would not be easy.Britain realized defeating the Americans would not be easy.

Choosing Sides With the battle, people needed to make a decision on which side to take.With the battle, people needed to make a decision on which side to take. Loyalist – Colonists who remained loyal to England.Loyalist – Colonists who remained loyal to England. Patriot – Colonists who fought against Britain for independence.Patriot – Colonists who fought against Britain for independence.