The American Revolution The Revolution Begins Chapter 4, Section 1 Pages 112 - 116

Background Information Taxes and harsh new laws led some colonists to protest against the British. In some places, the protests turned violent. The British government refused to listen, ignoring the colonists’ demands for more rights. That set the stage for war.

First Continental Congress After the closing of Boston Harbor all of the colonies, except Georgia, sent representatives to a meeting in October 1774. This meeting in Philadelphia was known as the First Continental Congress. After great discussion it was decided that the colonists should continue boycotting British goods, but colonial militias were told to prepare for war.

Give Me Liberty Patrick Henry (VA) returned from the meeting and encouraged his fellow Virginians to support the Patriot cause. Henry voiced these famous words: “They tell us, Sir, that we are weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when will we be stronger? Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace – but there is no peace. I know not what course others may take but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.”

“Shot Heard ‘round the World” British military leaders in the colonies grew uneasy when local militias seems to be preparing for action. The governor of Massachusetts, General Thomas Gage, learned that a stockpile of weapons was stored in Concord, about 20 miles from Boston. In April 1775 he decided to seize the supplies. He thought that his plans were kept secret, but Boston was full of spies and soon the Patriots discovered what he had planned.

Paul Revere and William Dawes Unsure of how the British would act, the Patriots enlisted the use of several people, to include Robert Newman. Newman was to climb into the steeple of the Old North Church and watch for any British movement. If they advanced across land, Newman would display one lantern from the steeple. If they rowed across the Charles River, Newman would display two lanterns.

Paul Revere and William Dawes When Revere and Dawes two lights shine, they set off on horseback. Using two different routes out of Boston, the sounded the alert. As the riders went through each town, the local militia – or minutemen – would respond. Paul Revere was stopped and arrested along his route, but he warning was delivered all the way to Concord.

Lexington and Concord At the dawn of April 19, the British soldiers arrived at the town of Lexington where 70 armed minutemen waited. They intent of the minutemen was to delay the British and not to engage them in a fight. However a shot rang out and the two sides exchanged gunfire. To this day, no one knows who fired this “shot heard ‘round the world.”

Lexington and Concord The Battle of Lexington ended in minutes with only a few volleys fired. When the smoke cleared, eight (8) of the minutemen lay dead, and ten (10) were wounded. The British only had one soldier wounded. Thanks to the delay at Lexington, the Patriots were able to hide (or relocate) most of the weapons stored at Concord.

Second Continental Congress In May 1775, delegates from 12 colonies met again in Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress. This second group of delegate from the colonies was still far from unified. Some called for war, and others for peace. Once again they compromised. Congress did not openly revolt, instead they told authorities in each colony to write new state constitutions.

Preparing for War In addition, Congress authorized the Massachusetts militia to become the Continental Army. Congress also named George Washington to be the overall commander of the army. As the army prepared for war, the Congress pursued peace. On July 5, 1775 the delegates signed the Olive Branch Petition as a final attempt to restore harmony. King George refused to read the petition.

Early Battles – Bunker Hill Desperate for supplies, leaders in Boston sent Benedict Arnold and a force of 400 men to New York State. The objective was to attack the British at Fort Ticonderoga. In May 1775, Arnold captured the fort and its large supply of weapons. Meanwhile in Boston, the Patriots had built up their forces on Breed’s Hill, a point overlooking north Boston.

Early Battles – Bunker Hill The British (Redcoats) would have to cross Boston Harbor and fight their way uphill. As a British force of 2,400 men advanced, 1,600 militia members waited. Low on gun powder, William Prescott, the Patriot commander, ordered his men not to fire “until you see the whites of their eyes.” The Patriots were able to push the British back three times before they were forced to retreat.

Early Battles – Dorchester Heights Shorty after the Battle of Bunker Hill, General Washington arrived in Boston to take command of the Continental Army. Washington knew that he had to have heavier guns (cannons) to drive the British out of Boston. Henry Knox arrived with the cannons that Arnold had captured at Fort Ticonderoga. On March 4, 1776, Washington moved his army to Dorchester Heights, an area that overlooked Boston.

Early Battles – Dorchester Heights When British General William Howe woke up on March 5, 1776 he discovered that the Patriots had positioned themselves to outfight the British. Howe decided to withdraw his forces from Boston rather than fight. Washington’s forces gained control of Boston by March 7, 1776.