Start of the Revolutionary War
The Boston Massacre March 5th, 1770 Colonists were unhappy about the number of British troops in Boston A riot broke out and a mob of colonists attacked a British sentinel A British officer ordered his men to fire into the crowd, which killed 2 men and wounded several others
The First Continental Congress Met in September 1774 in Philadelphia Delegates voted to ban all trade with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were stopped Voted that each colony should start training troops This meeting was a starting point for American Democracy
Paul Revere’s Ride Paul Revere was one of the men responsible for reporting movement of British Troops This served to warn the colonial army and better prepare them
Lexington and Concord First battles of the Revolutionary War This forced all of the colonies into war Colonists had to choose who they supported; Loyalists supported the British and Rebels supported the Revolution
Continental Army is Formed 20,000 volunteers began gathering around Boston They captured Fort Ticonderoga which held a large supply of British artillery Boston was chosen as a secure location since it was mostly surrounded by water
Stop and Think What is so great about Artillery? Boston is almost completely surrounded by water; why is this a big advantage for the Colonists?
Second Continental Congress Officially voted on the forming of a Continental Army George Washington was chosen to lead Agreed to print paper money with which to pay the Colonial Army First signs of acting as a government
Battle of Bunker Hill
Declaration of Independence Continental Congress decided to completely break free from Britain and form their own country Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the document Signed by 56 members of Congress This signature was an act of treason and punishable by death
Critical Thinking Questions Would you have been a Loyalist or a Rebel? What would happen to the Continental Congress if the revolution failed? What did the Colonists have to gain if the Revolution succeeded?