First Continental Congress 12 of the colonies sent delegates to a meeting in Philadelphia to discuss ways of fighting the Intolerable Acts. How? Sent a letter to King George demanding that their rights be restored. Extended the boycott of British goods. And began to set up militias.  At the end of the meeting, they vowed to meet again if the King refused to meet their demands.

The King’s Response April 1775: British Gen. Gage ordered to arrest members of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and seize weapons April 18 1775: 700 British troops head to Concord Go through Lexington Paul Revere’s ride alerting the minutemen “The Red Coats are coming.”

Lexington & Concord 1775 First battles of the Revolutionary War, known as the “the shot heard ‘round the world” April 19: British encounter 70 minutemen in Lexington – Colonists are outmatched and retreat Retreated to Concord Push the Redcoats back to Boston Guerilla style warfare Killed 250 Brits Result: These events were a turning point for the colonists. They began to question their loyalty to a country that would use force against their own people.

Second Continental Congress Met in May 1775, Philadelphia Delegates from all 13 colonies Agreed to create a Continental Army Appointed George Washington as supreme commander Weren’t completely ready for war yet. Sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III for peaceful resolution

Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill) June 17 1775 Fortified area around Boston Colonist lose BUT cause massive causalities on Brits King George III officially declared the colonies in a state of rebellion, a treasonous affair Slammed the door for all hope for reconciliation Lost 1000 (40%) troops THAT’S IT!!! THE WAR IS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thomas Paine Common Sense argued two main points: Independence from Great Britain Creation of a democratic republic wrote in straightforward language everyone could read it used language/imagery of the Bible… why? sold 120,000 copies in the spring of 1776 (think the Harry Potter of colonial times) Thomas Paine

The Declaration of Independence 1776 By 1776, more than half the delegates felt that colonies must separate from England. The 2nd Continental Congress appointed a committee to write a document that would officially announce America’s independence. Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence

Main ideas of the Declaration of Independence ~Government purpose is to protect the rights of the people ~Government is based in the consent of the people (Popular Sovereignty) ~If the government disregards the people rights, the people can overthrow it. ~All people should have the right to life, liberty, and property.

Declaration of Independence is adopted on July 4, 1776 Colonies are now in full rebellion what would happen to authors and signers if revolution failed?

Patriot or Loyalist? Colonists had strong feelings about their ties to Britain. Some wanted to be independent and some were fearful of becoming their own country. If you were a colonist, which viewpoint would you support? Write a letter to King George as if you were a Loyalist (Loyal to England) or a Patriot (In favor of breaking away from England). Be sure to include the following in your letter: Your view for or against the war and independence from Britain Provide three specific reasons (Events or Acts) why you support or do not support the cause for independence from Britain Support your reasons with specific details.