Revolutionary War ON THE BRINK OF WAR

I. Punishing The Colonies A. The British government was outraged by the Boston Tea Party, and felt that the colonists needed a swift harsh punishment. I WILL NOT DUMP TEA INTO BOSTON HARBOR

B. In March 1774, the British Parliament passed the Coercive Acts. 1. Quartering Act – allowed British soldiers to stay in private homes.

2. Quebec Act – Extended the Quebec border into the Ohio Valley, and restored French civil law, and allowed them to keep their language (French) and religion (Catholicism.)

3. Massachusetts Governing Act Did away with elections for certain positions and town hall meetings.

4. Currency Act Prohibited the colonies from issuing paper money

5. Administration of Justice Act Let British officials accused of a crime to be tried in England rather than America.

6. Boston Port Act Closed the port of Boston until the Tea was paid for.

II. First Continental Congress A. In September 1774, 56 delegates from 12 colonies (no Georgia) met in Philadelphia to discuss their concerns.

B. There were many different viewpoints at this meeting B. There were many different viewpoints at this meeting. The most outspoken critics of Parliament came from Virginia and Massachusetts. 1. Paul Revere, a silversmith from Boston, delivered to the Congress the Suffolk Resolves which called the Coercive Acts “the attempt of a wicked administration to enslave Americans.”

2. Called for the arming and training of a militia, a group of citizens who would be ready to fight in any emergency. 3. Approved a ban of trade until the Coercive Acts were repealed.

4. Did not seek independence; it sought rather to right the wrongs that had been inflicted on the colonies. 5. Declaration of Rights and Grievances – The Congress composed a statement of complaints. It was addressed to King George III, to whom they remained loyal, and pointedly not at Parliament.

6. They arranged to meet again in May 1775.

C. King George III would not listen to the colonists C. King George III would not listen to the colonists. The British saw the colonists as disobedient children.

III. The Colonists Take Arms A. Several colonies were now moving towards open rebellion. Tensions between the colonists and soldiers were growing by the day. B. The militia began drilling in the village greens, and the farmers and artisans in the militia became known as minutemen because they could be ready to fight at a moments notice.

C. Many Americans began to think that bloodshed was unavoidable C. Many Americans began to think that bloodshed was unavoidable. Speaking to the Virginia House of Burgesses Patrick Henry said;

“The next gale that sweeps from the North [Massachusetts] will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!... Is this life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?... I know not what course others will take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.”

IV. “The Shot Heard Around the World” A. General Thomas Gage ordered British soldiers to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock who were hiding out in Lexington. He also ordered them to destroy the American arms that were rumored to be in Concord.

B. British soldiers set out on April 18, 1775. C. However, the Americans were keeping an eye on the British. Boston’s North Church would serve as the signal tower.

1. Dr. Warren was to place one lamp in the North Church Tower if the British were coming by land, and two if they were coming by sea.

2. William Dawes and Paul Revere received the signal and ride to Lexington to tell them, “The Redcoats are coming.” Dawes and Revere were captured after Lexington, but Dr. Samuel Prescott made it to Concord.

BATTLES OF LEXINGTON/CONCORD D. When the British arrived in Lexington at dawn on April 19th, 1775, they were met by 70 minutemen who were waiting for them. 1. Captain Parker, Colonial Army, told his men to stand their ground. “Stand your ground; don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”

2. The British commander ordered the colonists to throw down their weapons and leave. Some began to obey, but then a shot was fired by an unknown source. Soon, other shots followed and 8 Americans were dead, and 10 more were wounded. The minutemen left for the woods.

3. The British were off to Concord.

E. There was little fighting to go on in Concord E. There was little fighting to go on in Concord. The actual American victory was taking place as the British were leaving Concord. The colonial militia used guerilla warfare tactics against the British. The British were outraged at the American tactics. This boosted the American morale by embarrassing the British Army.

1. Later, poet Ralph Waldo Emerson would call what happened at Concord the “Shot Heard Round the World.”