Beginnings of Revolution - British general Thomas Gage put Boston under martial (military) law for 2 months - offered pardons to those people who refused to fight against the British and took an oath of allegiance to the king Ft. Ticonderoga, NY - Ethan Allen (Green Mt. Boys), Benedict Arnold - captured the British fort, victory for the colonists Breed’s Hill/Bunker Hill - June 16, 1775 - Colonists ran out of ammo, British won - Boston under martial law for 9 more months, colonists needed more than a militia - first battle of the American Revolution

Second Continental Congress (May 1775) - all 13 colonies met (even asked Canadians to join, but they refused) - wanted all North American British colonies (Canada, Florida, Jamaica and Barbados) to join in the fight for independence - agreed they needed to form a military * Continental Army led by George Washington Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) - last-ditch effort to cooperate with King George III - affirmed colonies loyalty to king, proposed a sincere discussion of their differences - King George refused to read it, called the colonists “traitors”

Common Sense - written by Thomas Paine * claimed King George III wasn’t treating the colonies well * said it made sense for the colonies to eventually become independent from England * increased colonial support for independence Declaration of Independence (July 1776) - written primarily by Thomas Jefferson - accepted on July 4, 1776 - three main parts: * Preamble * Body * Declaration