The Road to Lexington and Concord Learning Objective: How did tensions between Britain and the colonies lead to armed conflict in Massachusetts?

Colonial Militias Militia – colonial troops who promised to defend their communities Militia – colonial troops who promised to defend their communities Minutemen – citizen-soldiers prepared to fight at a moments notice Minutemen – citizen-soldiers prepared to fight at a moments notice

Fighting Begins King George declares colonies are in rebellion and ‘blows must decide’ who will control them King George declares colonies are in rebellion and ‘blows must decide’ who will control them Thomas Gage receives orders to destroy weapons and arrest the leaders of the Massachusetts militia Thomas Gage receives orders to destroy weapons and arrest the leaders of the Massachusetts militia Sends Francis Smith to Concord “where you will seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition you can find. Sends Francis Smith to Concord “where you will seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition you can find.

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

What was the mission of the midnight riders? Charged with spreading the news about British troop movements Charged with spreading the news about British troop movements Arranged a system of signals to alert colonists Arranged a system of signals to alert colonists William Dawes and Paul Revere stopped by British patrol on their way to Lexington William Dawes and Paul Revere stopped by British patrol on their way to Lexington Dr. Samuel Prescott carried message to Concord Dr. Samuel Prescott carried message to Concord Militia led by Captain John Parker is ready when the British soldiers arrive Militia led by Captain John Parker is ready when the British soldiers arrive

History Rock Watch Shot Heard Round the World Watch Shot Heard Round the World

What is the significance of these battles? Signaled the start of the Revolution Signaled the start of the Revolution Ralph Waldo Emerson – colonial troops had fired the “shot heard ‘round the world.” Ralph Waldo Emerson – colonial troops had fired the “shot heard ‘round the world.”

Green Mountain Boys Vermont’s militia led by Ethan Allen Vermont’s militia led by Ethan Allen Joined forces with Benedict Arnold’s militia from Connecticut to capture Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain Joined forces with Benedict Arnold’s militia from Connecticut to capture Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain Took fort by surprise – gained key location and military supplies Took fort by surprise – gained key location and military supplies

Benedict Arnold Captain in Connecticut militia Captain in Connecticut militia Later turned against Patriot cause Later turned against Patriot cause Sold military information to the British and led attacks against the Americans Sold military information to the British and led attacks against the Americans

Bunker Hill Militia seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill – strategic locations overlooking Boston Militia seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill – strategic locations overlooking Boston Discussion: Low on ammo, militia told “Don’t fire until you see the white’s of their eyes.” What does this mean? Discussion: Low on ammo, militia told “Don’t fire until you see the white’s of their eyes.” What does this mean? British victory but they suffered heavy losses British victory but they suffered heavy losses British learn defeating Americans will not be quick or easy British learn defeating Americans will not be quick or easy

Loyalists Do not think unfair taxes and laws were a good reason to fight Do not think unfair taxes and laws were a good reason to fight

Patriots Felt they could no longer live under British rule Felt they could no longer live under British rule

Summary Questions How did Benedict Arnold help and hurt the American cause? How did Benedict Arnold help and hurt the American cause? “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American.” What change was taking place in how the colonists saw themselves? “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American.” What change was taking place in how the colonists saw themselves? Activity: Illustrate the event that started the Revolution.