1. THE REVOLUTION BEGINS

2. REVIEW: The First Continental Congress Through the Intolerable Acts, King George III means to single out Massachusetts and punish the colony for its actions. Through the Intolerable Acts, King George III means to single out Massachusetts and punish the colony for its actions. September 1775: September 1775: –56 delegates meet in Philadelphia to draw up a document declaring their rights as colonies. They defend the colonies rights to run their own affairs They defend the colonies rights to run their own affairs Support the protests in Massachusetts Support the protests in Massachusetts If British should use military force, the colonies should fight back. If British should use military force, the colonies should fight back. –Draw up arms against them! Agree to reconvene May 1775 if demands are not met. Agree to reconvene May 1775 if demands are not met.

3. Lexington and Concord After the First Continental Congress, colonists in many New England towns begin assembling arms and preparing a military. After the First Continental Congress, colonists in many New England towns begin assembling arms and preparing a military. Minutemen Minutemen –Who were they really?

4. Lexington and Concord The newly appointed governor of Massachusetts, General Gage, soon hears about these activities. The newly appointed governor of Massachusetts, General Gage, soon hears about these activities. Spring 1775: Spring 1775: –Orders British troops to march from Boston to Concord, Massachusetts to seize these illegal weapons.

5. Lexington and Concord General Thomas Gage's instructions on the afternoon of April 18, 1775: General Thomas Gage's instructions on the afternoon of April 18, 1775: “ You will march with the utmost expedition and secrecy.. You will seize and destroy all the artillery, ammunition, provisions, tents, small arms, and all military stores whatever.... But you will take care that the soldiers do not plunder the inhabitants or hurt private property.”

6. Lexington and Concord Colonists from Boston were watching British troops assemble. Colonists from Boston were watching British troops assemble. –Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread word that 700 British troops were headed for Concord “The British are coming! The British are coming!”

7. Lexington and Concord Upon hearing this, the town of Concord rang out to signal their men to assemble and prepare for what was about to come. Upon hearing this, the town of Concord rang out to signal their men to assemble and prepare for what was about to come. British officers heard the beat of the militia’s drum and took it as a challenge. British officers heard the beat of the militia’s drum and took it as a challenge. –He ordered his troops to stop and load muskets before continuing on towards Lexington. The King’s troops reach Lexington, 5 miles short of Concord The King’s troops reach Lexington, 5 miles short of Concord –They are met by around 70 minutemen, armed.

8. Lexington and Concord Although their weapons primed and loaded, were under orders on no account to fire, nor even to attempt it without orders. Although their weapons primed and loaded, were under orders on no account to fire, nor even to attempt it without orders. (British troops) Like his British counterpart, Captain Parker had warned his men not to fire without the British firing first. Like his British counterpart, Captain Parker had warned his men not to fire without the British firing first. (Colonial troops)

9. Lexington and Concord British officer ordered the militia to be disarmed. British officer ordered the militia to be disarmed. Pitcairn is said to have yelled, Pitcairn is said to have yelled, “ DISPERSE YOU REBELS; DAMN YOU, THROW DOWN DAMN YOU, THROW DOWN YOUR ARMS AND DISPERSE ” YOUR ARMS AND DISPERSE ” to the American militiamen. to the American militiamen.

10. Lexington and Concord Upon Pitcairn’s orders, Captain Parker orders his militiamen to disperse. Upon Pitcairn’s orders, Captain Parker orders his militiamen to disperse. Colonists began to leave without dropping their weapons. Colonists began to leave without dropping their weapons. Amidst the retreat, someone fires a shot. Amidst the retreat, someone fires a shot. –Who? –Why? “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”

11. Lexington and Concord British say that it must have come from a colonist that was hiding in a nearby house or barn. Colonists say that it came from the British side. – –Multiple simultaneous shots? No one except the person responsible ever knew with certainty, who fired the first shot of the American Revolutionary War.

12. VIDEO!

13. Lexington and Concord Hearing the shot, Major Pitcairn yelled Fire, damn you, fire! Hearing the shot, Major Pitcairn yelled Fire, damn you, fire! –British soldiers begin to fire at the departing minutemen. Eight minutemen are killed, 9 more are wounded. Eight minutemen are killed, 9 more are wounded. Only 1 British soldier was injured. Only 1 British soldier was injured. The Battle at Lexington lasted 15 minutes. The Battle at Lexington lasted 15 minutes.

14. Lexington and Concord The British marched on to Concord, where they found an empty arsenal. The British marched on to Concord, where they found an empty arsenal. –What they had come to seize was no longer there. –How does this make them feel? After another brief skirmish with minutemen, the British troops turn around to go back to Boston. After another brief skirmish with minutemen, the British troops turn around to go back to Boston.

15. Lexington and Concord But, the militia won’t let them go home without a fight... But, the militia won’t let them go home without a fight... –The march back to Boston quickly becomes a slaughter. –By now, between 3,000-4,000 minutemen have assembled and begin firing on the marching troops. Firing from behind stones and trees. Firing from behind stones and trees. –British begin to fall at a rapid rate. They are saved by the arrival of reinforcements from Boston. They are saved by the arrival of reinforcements from Boston.

16. Lexington and Concord Bloodied and humiliated, the remaining British soldiers made their way back to Boston that night. Bloodied and humiliated, the remaining British soldiers made their way back to Boston that night. By the next evening, the hills surrounding Boston had campfires lit. By the next evening, the hills surrounding Boston had campfires lit. –Colonists were now enemies of Britain and they now held Boston and its encampment of British troops under siege.

17. The Second Continental Congress May 1775 – – Second Continental Congress meets as planned in Philadelphia to debate their next move. What is happening beyond Philadelphia? – –Militia, minutemen, and British soldiers are clashing in a bloody battle outside of Boston. – –Overseas, King George is preparing Britain for war.

18. PARTNER ACTIVITY You are members of the Second Continental Congress in the year 1775. As you are meeting in Philadelphia to discuss the mounting tension between Britain and the colonies, you receive news that the Revolutionary War has started with the outbreak of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. You and your fellow delegates are responsible for creating a plan of action while keeping the colonies best interests in mind. Create a plan of action!   You find yourself in the difficult position of being the decision-making body of a group at war with the powerful King George III and Britain. What options might you pursue? What steps do you need to take? Create a list of five major steps that need to be taken. Be prepared to present your ideas to the class.

19. Divided Opinions The loyalties that divided colonists sparked many debates at the Second Continental Congress. Some delegates were militant radicals, others argued for peaceful mediation and reconciliation with Britain.

20. Side of War John Adams suggests: – –Each colony should set up its own government. Congress should declare the colonies as independent. – –Congress should consider the militia and minutemen as the “Continental Army” We should name a general to lead them.

21. Side of Peace John Dickinson strongly disagrees Adams’ proposal: “What is the reason, Mr. Adams, that you New England men oppose our measures of reconciliation?...If you don’t concur with us in our pacific system, I and a number of us will break off from you in New England, and we will carry on the opposition by ourselves in our own way.”

22. Choosing a Leader Debates carried on for a month. The Congress finally agreed to recognize the Continental Army and would decide on a leader. – –Wealthiest man in America? Most esteemed and popular? OR – –A man of great skill- a general of the F&I War?

23. Choosing a Leader

24. CORRECT!! George Washington, a 43 year-old native was selected as the general of the Continental Army. George Washington, a 43 year-old native was selected as the general of the Continental Army. Arrived to the congress in his Virginia military uniform. Arrived to the congress in his Virginia military uniform. –People looked past the traditional methods of wealth, and saw potential and experience in him.

25. WRONG!! John Hancock himself was shocked as well. John Hancock himself was shocked as well. The traditional European way of selecting a general of an army was based on lineage, esteem, and wealth. The traditional European way of selecting a general of an army was based on lineage, esteem, and wealth. The colonies did things a little differently… The colonies did things a little differently…

26. The Second Continental Congress The congress, acting like an independent government: The congress, acting like an independent government: –Authorized the printing of money to pay troops. –Organized a committee to deal with foreign nations.