THE BRINK OF WAR

Coercive Acts (AKA The Intolerable Acts) Passed in 1774 as a punishment for the Boston Tea Party Closed the port of Boston until the tea was paid for All British officials had to be tried in England Reduced self government and allowed quartering of troops in private homes

Quebec Act Extended Quebec southward Allowed French Canadians to keep their own laws and religion The English settlers saw this as a threat

George Washington

First Continental Congress September 1774 Meeting of all the colonies except Georgia Massachusetts was very outspoken Compromise plan approved a militia

Minutemen

Britain Starts to Act Colonial spies learn that the British are planning to take the guns and gunpowder stored at Concord, Mass. They were also planning to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

Paul Revere

William Dawes

The Shot Heard Around the World

Weapons of the time

The First Shot At Lexington, on April 19, the first shot was fired. The Redcoats went on to Concord and burned some colonial supplies. The Colonists started to gain the upper hand at North Bridge using sniper tactics.

2nd Continental Congress

2nd Continental Congress Goals All 13 colonies met to appoint a military commander (George Washington) Sent the Olive Branch Petition