1. Declaring Independence

2. Second Continental Congress Meets (May 1775)
The Congress meets on the same day as the Patriots attack Fort Ticonderoga
The Congress makes three decisions
Agreed to form a Continental Army due to the seriousness of Lexington and Concord
Authorized the printing of paper money to fund a possible war
Chose George Washington as military commander
The Congress was the makings of an American government

3. Second Continental Congress Meets (May 1775)

4. Congress Drafts The Olive Branch Petition (July 1775)
Congress does so after the battles of Fort Ticonderoga and Bunker Hill
This document is considered the Patriots last attempt at peace
Despite the increase in violent protests, most colonists (even some Patriots) hoped for peace
This document was sent to London and asked King George III to restore harmony between Great Britain and the 13 Colonies
King George III rejected the petition and announced new measures to punish the colonies
He would use the British navy to block American ships from leaving their ports
He would also send thousands of Hessians to fight in America

5. Congress Drafts The Olive Branch Petition (July 1775)

6. Americans Attack Fort Ticonderoga (May 1775)
After Lexington and Concord 20,000 militiamen began gathering around Boston and New York City
British General Thomas Gage decides to move his troops to Boston
Since Boston is nearly surrounded by water, Gage thought a colonial attack by land was almost impossible

7. Americans Attack Fort Ticonderoga (May 1775)
Not long after, on May 10, 1775, Americans attacked the British fort, Fort Ticonderoga in New York
This fort was not well-guarded since most British soldiers were in Boston
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen led the Green Mountain Boys in attack
The GMB captured the fort and its large supply of artillery, which would later be used to drive the British out of Boston

8. Americans Attack Fort Ticonderoga (May 1775)

9. Continental Army Fights in the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775)
The original plan was to fight the battle on Bunker Hill
Tensions continued to build in Boston
Militiamen seized Bunker and Breed’s Hill behind Charlestown, MA
Patriot fortifications were built on Breed’s Hill
Alarmed, the British decide to attack
British General William Howe arrives at Breed’s Hill with 2,200 British troops and began to march up the hill

10. Continental Army Fights in the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775)
Militia waited on the top
According to legend, Colonel William Prescott ordered, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”
When the British got close, the militia fired
The British soldiers were at a disadvantage
British soldiers fell back, but charged again and forced the militia off the hill

11. Continental Army Fights in the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775)
British soldiers suffered huge losses
More than 1,000 British vs. some 400 militiamen
Military victory for the British
Moral victory for the Patriots

12. Continental Army Fights in the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775)

13. Continental Army Invades Quebec (November 1775)
During the summer of 1775, GW arrives at the militia camp near Boston
He begins to gather supplies and train the army
In the fall, GW and the Continental Army invade Quebec where they hope to beat the British and motivate Canadians to join the Patriot cause
Benedict Arnold led the Patriot invasion of Quebec
When the Patriots arrive, they endure a harsh winter and conditions
Patriots launch their attack, but fail and eventually retreat

14. Continental Army Invades Quebec (November 1775)

15. Continental Army Surrounds British Forces in Boston (January 1776)
British soldiers have been stationed in Boston for quite some time
Patriot forces surround them
Neither side was willing to break the standoff
However, GW receives help when the cannons arrive from the Patriot win at Fort Ticonderoga
With these cannons, GW moves his troops to Dorchester Heights, which overlooks Boston
Patriots threaten to bombard Boston with cannon fire
British General Howe decides to withdraw his troops
On March 17th, about 9,000 British soldiers depart from Boston
Patriots joyfully reclaim Boston as their city

16. Continental Army Surrounds British Forces in Boston (January 1776)
The Continental Army’s show of strength causes British soldiers and Loyalists to leave Boston
Anti-British feelings in Boston were so strong that Loyalists feared for their safety
Some Patriots even called for Loyalists to be hanged as traitors
This did not happen, but Loyalists’ homes and property was seized

17. Common Sense
In early 1776, most Patriots still wanted to avoid a final break with Great Britain
However, the publication of Common Sense helped convince many Patriots that a complete break with Great Britain was necessary
Thomas Paine, author, made a strong case for “American” independence
Paine ridiculed the idea that kings ruled by the will of God
Paine believed that all monarchs were corrupt
Instant success-Paine’s pamphlet sold more than 100,000 copies
Some historians credit Common Sense, more than any other document with generating popular support of The Declaration of Independence

18. Common Sense