Fighting Begins in the North

Lexington and Concord  News spreads quickly  10,000-15,000 militia rushed towards Boston

Second Continental Congress  Convenes in Philadelphia on June 10,  Did not convene with the idea that they were going to split with England  The fighting Spread

Olive Branch Petition  A petition sent to King George III.  Declared loyalty to the King  Asked him to repeal Intolerable Acts

King George Reacts  He thinks the colonists want to create independent empire  Orders 20,000 more troops to region

topics/capture-of-fort- ticonderoga/videos#ame rican-revolution

Green Mountain Boys  Leader Ethan Allen …(yes the furniture guy ) really a blacksmith…led a group from Vermont

Ethan Allen

LEADS AN ATTACK ON FORT TICONDEROGA

Fort Ticonderoga  Green Mountain Boys overpower guard on duty  They rush to room where British commander is and Ethan Allen says “Come out you old rat!”

 When asked by whose authority, he answers “In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!”

What they win…  Supply of cannons and gunpowder  Control of a key route into Canada.

Continental Army Forms  Congress forms Continental Army in June  Washington becomes commander  He takes off for Boston

P’s Advantages  Many owned rifles and were good shots  Good commanders like George Washington  Determined to fight to defend their homes and property

British Advantages  Highly trained, experienced troops  Best Navy in the World  Many colonists supported British

P’s Disadvantages  Colonists poorly organized and untrained  Few Cannons and little gunpowder  No navy  Few colonists willing to leave home militias and join Continental Army.

British Disadvantages  Armies 3,000 miles from home  News and supplies took months to come from Britain  British soldiers risked attacks outside cities.

Loyalists  Colonists who remained loyal to Britain  Included wealthy merchants and former officials of Royal government

Loyalists  Some farmers and craftworkers also loyalists.  Mostly from middle and South

Loyalists  Tarred and feathered by P’s  Many fled to Canada, England, or to British controlled cities  When they fled, they would lose their homes, farms, and stores

Fight for Boston Battle of Bunker Hill

Boston  During the first year, 6000 British troops were located in Boston.  Colonists surrounded the city, wouldn’t let them out

Battle of Bunker Hill  On June 16, 1775, Colonel William Prescott led 1,200 minutemen up Bunker Hill across river from Boston.  Reason: They could fire at British ships in Boston Harbor.

Breed’s Hill  Prescott notices nearby Breed’s Hill is better so he sends troops there  British General William Howe sees the Americans at sunrise.

Breed’s Hill  He ferries 2400 redcoats to attack rebels positions.  As British approached, Patriots held their fire  When they finally fired, the British were first to retreat.

British Win  The strategy of the Americans, because they were low on gun powder was not to fire “until you see the whites of their eyes.”  After the third try, the British take Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill.

Their high price for victory  More than 1000 Redcoats were dead or wounded.  Americans numbered 400 dead or wounded.

RESULTS  Battle of Bunker Hill first major battle of Revolutionary War  American proved they could fight bravely.  British proved they would not be defeated easily.

George Washington Arrives  Arrives in Boston a few weeks after battle of Bunker Hill.  He quickly turns raw recruits into an army.  Soldiers from different colonies mistrusted one another but Washington won loyalty of his troops

Cannons Arrive  In January 1776, the cannons arrive from Fort Ticonderoga.  Washington places them in plain site overlooking Boston Harbor.

British Depart  General Howe moves his troops and 1,000 loyalists from Boston to Halifax, Canada in March.

BLOCKADE  King George III ordered a blockade of all colonial ports.  The King uses mercenaries, or troops for hire, from Germany to help fight the colonists. They are called Hessians