1. Chapter 5 Section 4
The War Begins
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2. The Second Continental Congress
Colonists were divided
Some colonists did not favor independence from Britain
Some colonists were willing to use force to defend their rights against the British.
Second Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in May 1775.
Included
Thomas Jefferson
John Hancock
Benjamin Franklin
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3. What did the Second Continental Congress do?
First step: to form an army
The Congress chose George Washington as the commander of the Continental Army.
Congress printed paper money to pay for its army.
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4. Patriots Against Loyalists
Colonists were split.
Colonists were wanted independence and were willing to fight were called Patriots.
Colonists who remained loyal to Britain and the King were called Loyalists.
Loyalists were a minority (few).
Patriots took control of local governments.
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5. Loyalists included:
The wealthiest families
Leading merchants
Large landowners
Many African Americans
Most Native Americans
Thousands of Loyalists fought on the British side during the Revolutionary War.
After the Revolutionary War was over, 100,000 Loyalists left the country forever.
Many went to Canada.
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6. Petitioning the King Olive Branch Petition
Sent to King George (the British King)
Said colonists were loyal to the king
Asked for the fighting to stop and that the conflict be solved peacefully
A day later Congress sent a statement called the Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Army.
Stated that the colonists were ready “to die freemen rather than to live as slaves”
Effort to make peace failed
Parliament voted to send 20,000 soldier to the colonies to end the revolt.
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7. An Important American Victory
May 10, 1775
Colonists made surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga (in NY)
Fort is at the south of Lake Champlain—protected water route to Canada
Leading the force—Ethan Allen
Known as the Green Mountain Boys (83 men)
British surrendered almost immediately
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8. Why was Fort Ticonderoga Important?
Two reasons
1. controlled the main route between Canada and the Hudson River valley
2. Held valuable weapons, especially cannons
Americans needed cannons to compete with Britain
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9. Battle of Bunker Hill Americans surrounded Boston
They were farmers and workers, not trained soldiers
British General- William Howe
American Commander- Israel Putnam
First and second British attack failed
Third attack was successful because Americans run out of ammunition
British won the battle but at a terrible cost
British 1000 killed wounded---Americans 400 killed or wounded
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10. Washington placed the cannons on high ground over looking Boston.
Americans proved they could fight and stand up to professional British soldiers
Washington took three months dragging the cannons, that were seized at Fort Ticonderoga, on sleds across mountains and forests to Boston.
Washington placed the cannons on high ground over looking Boston.
March 17, 1776, the British left by sea and never returned.
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11. Washington knew the war was far from over.
The British had the most powerful navy in the world.
They used the navy to transport troops and supplies and to blockade American ports.
Blockade- shutting off of a port by ships to keep people or supplies from moving in or out.
British strengthened their army by hiring mercenaries.
Mercenaries- Soldiers who serve another country for money
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12. Invading Canada Washington training an army in Boston
Two other armies moving north
One army was led by Richard Montgomery
One army was led by Benedict Arnold
Dec. 1775, Americans attacked Quebec during a sever snowstorm. The attack was turned back.
Montgomery was killed. Arnold was wounded.
Americans stayed in Canada for 5 months. Finally, weakened by disease and hunger, Americans withdrew, leaving Canada to the British.
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