THE WAR BEGINS

AAAApril 19, British stunned by the loss of life at Lexington & Concord MMMMany colonists still hoped for peaceful solution 1111775- Colonists had no united army or government EEEEthan Allan led Vermonters (Green Mountain Boys) in a surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga FFFFort Ticonderoga near Lake Champlain & had many cannons the colonists needed

 Early May Green Mountain Boys quietly moved in the early morning to Fort Ticonderoga  Green Mountain Boys overpowered guards & won the fort  Colonists gained cannons, gunpowder, & power to key route to Canada  2 nd Continental Congress met and many wanted to make peace with Britain

After debating issues- Continental Congress voted to patch up the quarrel with Britain After debating issues- Continental Congress voted to patch up the quarrel with Britain Delegates decided to send King George III Olive Branch Petition Delegates decided to send King George III Olive Branch Petition Petition- Delegates declared loyalty to Britain & ask for repeal of Intolerable Acts Petition- Delegates declared loyalty to Britain & ask for repeal of Intolerable Acts Delegates also set up a Continental Army, voted George Washington (commander) Delegates also set up a Continental Army, voted George Washington (commander)

Strengths of Britain Highly trained, experienced troops Navy was most powerful in world Navy could move quickly up/down the Atlantic coastline

Strengths of Americans Fighting to defend homes, land, & shops Many owned guns & were great shooters G. Washington- brilliant leader, who men respected

Weaknesses of Britain Armies 3,000 miles away Armies 3,000 miles away News & supplies took months to arrive News & supplies took months to arrive Soldiers risked being attacked outside city of Boston Soldiers risked being attacked outside city of Boston

Weaknesses of Americans Untrained army Few cannons & gunpowder NO NAVY

Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, (Sunset) Prescott led 1,200 minutemen up the hill in Charlestown (across the river in Boston) Breed’s Hill was a better position, dug trenches there Sunrise- Gen. Howe led 2,400 British troops across harbor to Charlestown British climbed slowly Breed’s Hill with 125 lb. packs

Colonists had little gunpowder, so “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes” British won Bunker & Breed’s Hills after 3 rd attempt British- lost/wounded 1,000 men Americans- 400 men

Results of Bunker Hill 1 st battle of American Revolutionary War Showed Americans fight bravely British would not be easily beaten G. Washington comes to Boston to organize untrained troops & unite (loyal) Jan Americans had strong grip around Boston- Gen. Howe left for Halifax, Canada

King George III- orders blockade of all colonial ports & hires Hessian (German) troops King George III- orders blockade of all colonial ports & hires Hessian (German) troops Fall American Army- Montgomery takes Montreal & moves onto Quebec Fall American Army- Montgomery takes Montreal & moves onto Quebec Benedict Arnold- led American troops through Maine to meet Montgomery at Quebec Benedict Arnold- led American troops through Maine to meet Montgomery at Quebec Finally reached Quebec, but French Canadians did not want to support Americans Finally reached Quebec, but French Canadians did not want to support Americans Dec. 31, armies attack Quebec and fail to seize the city (hunger & disease, so leave) Dec. 31, armies attack Quebec and fail to seize the city (hunger & disease, so leave)