Toward Independence

Protest Colonist boycotted British goods. Boycott-refuse to buy or use.

Sons of Liberty The boycott was formed by Samuel Adams, leader of the Sons of Liberty. They pressured shopkeepers not to sell British products. The Sons of Liberty was made up of colonist who were lawyers, merchants and craftspeople. These were people strongly affected by the Stamp Act.

Daughters of Liberty Women who called on colonist to weave their own cloth and use American products.

The Boston Massacre in 1770 The first American to die was Crispus Attucks, the first man shot in a fight the Sons of Liberty called “The Boston Massacre”.

The Boston Tea Party Many colonist were happy about the Boston Tea Party. They hoped it sent a message to the King that they opposed “taxation without representation”. King George III decided to “Master” the colonies and punish them by passing a series of laws.

First Continental Congress In September 1774, all colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia except Georgia. They voted to begin training troops and ban all trade with Britain.

Gov. Patrick Henry “Give me Liberty or give me death!” In March 1775, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm in self- defense, closing his appeal (uttered at St. John's Church in Richmond, where the legislature was meeting) with the immortal words: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” Patrick Henry's Speech

The Midnight Ride Sam Adams created a spy network to watch over the British. They smuggled messages across the colonies. Britain also had spies and learned of the Mass Militia in Concord, 20 miles from Boston. They also found out John Hancock and Sam Adams were in Lexington. Gen. Gage of the British Army ordered their arrest.

The British are Coming! The Sons of Liberty were prepared. If a lantern burned in the North Church steeple, the British were coming by land. If you saw 2 lanterns, they were coming by water. This is the night Paul Revere rode his horse through the town of Lexington, warning, “The British are coming!”

When the British arrived in Lexington, 70 militiamen were waiting. Shots were fired and 8 militiamen were immediately killed. Gage had also been told by spies the militiamen were hiding weapons in Concord. The British left Lexington to seize the weapons in Concord, but they had been moved. As the British marched back to Boston, 73 were killed by militiamen shooting at them from the woods and fields.

The Revolution Begins! The battle of Lexington and Concord began a long bitter war between Britain and the American Colonies.