The Battles of Lexington and Concord

First Continental Congress Upon hearing of the Intolerable Acts, colonies assembled Upon hearing of the Intolerable Acts, colonies assembled September 1774, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia September 1774, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia Drew up a DECLARATION OF COLONIAL RIGHTS: Drew up a DECLARATION OF COLONIAL RIGHTS: –Right to run their own affairs –Supported protests in MA –Stated if British used force against the colonies, the colonies would fight back. –Agreed to reconvene May 1775 if demands were not met

Tensions with British troops building Tensions with British troops building British troops in Boston increasing British troops in Boston increasing Colonists in eastern NE towns stepped up military preparations Colonists in eastern NE towns stepped up military preparations Stockpiled firearms and gunpowder. Stockpiled firearms and gunpowder. General Thomas Gage learned of these, planned to seize the illegal weapons in Concord. General Thomas Gage learned of these, planned to seize the illegal weapons in Concord.

“The British ARE COMING!” Colonists in Boston were keeping watch over the British troops moves. Colonists in Boston were keeping watch over the British troops moves. Night of April 18, 1775 – Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread the word Night of April 18, 1775 – Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread the word 700 British troops were headed for Concord 700 British troops were headed for Concord From there Pre-arranged signals were sent from town to town that the British were coming. From there Pre-arranged signals were sent from town to town that the British were coming.

The Battle of Lexington G.B. Troops Reached Lexington at dawn G.B. Troops Reached Lexington at dawn 70 minutemen drew up in lines on town green 70 minutemen drew up in lines on town green British commander ordered to surround and disarm militia British commander ordered to surround and disarm militia Militia ordered to disperse Militia ordered to disperse Someone fired, British fired, colonists fled Someone fired, British fired, colonists fled 8 minutemen killed, 9 wounded, 1 British soldier injured 8 minutemen killed, 9 wounded, 1 British soldier injured Lasted 15 minutes Lasted 15 minutes

The Battle of Concord British continued on to Concord British continued on to Concord Arsenal in Concord Basically Empty Arsenal in Concord Basically Empty Brief skirmish with minutemen at North Bridge Brief skirmish with minutemen at North Bridge British began march back to Boston to avoid further conflict, despite no reinforcements British began march back to Boston to avoid further conflict, despite no reinforcements

The Return March to Boston 3,000 to 4,000 minutemen had assembled 3,000 to 4,000 minutemen had assembled Hid behind stone walls and trees, fired at British Hid behind stone walls and trees, fired at British British fell by the dozens, only saved when reinforcements came from Boston British fell by the dozens, only saved when reinforcements came from Boston British went back to Boston British went back to Boston Colonists surrounded Boston, held the city under seige. Colonists surrounded Boston, held the city under seige.