Committee of Correspondence Samuel Adams formed a committee of correspondence, a group that regularly wrote letters and pamphlets reporting to other colonies on events in Massachusetts.

Committees of Correspondence related news about Intolerable Acts to other colonies. Since Boston Harbor was closed Boston needed food and other colonies helped out.

First Continental Congress Delegates from 12 colonies gathered in Philadelphia. All Colonies represented except Georgia

First Continental Congress Agreed to boycott all British goods and to stop exporting goods to Britain until Intolerable Acts were repealed.

First Continental Congress Urged each colony to set up a militia, which is an army of citizens who serve as soldiers in an emergency. Agreed to meet again the next year.

Shot Heard ‘round the World

Shot Heard ‘round the World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZMmPWTwTHc

Minutemen

Minutemen Volunteer members of Mass.militia who kept their muskets at hand and were prepared to fight at a moment’s notice

General Thomas Gage

General Thomas Gage British commander Scouted out towns near Boston looking for arms Found arms in Concord 18 miles from Boston

April 18, 1775 700 British troops quietly leave Boston to seize the colonial arms. Gage wanted to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock, important leaders in the Sons of Liberty. Gage found out that they were hiding out at a house in Lexington.

Paul Revere’s Famous Ride Two lamps hung in Old North Church by Robert Newman (British coming by sea)

Paul Revere (sea route), William Dawes (land route), and Dr Paul Revere (sea route), William Dawes (land route), and Dr. Samuel Prescott (was in Lexington) had to warn Adams, Hancock, the minutemen and Sons of Liberty members that the British “regulars” were coming.

Battles of Lexington and Concord April 18-19, 1775 4

On to Concord… The three men get arrested by the British… Prescott was the only rider to reach Concord.

April 19 - Lexington…. 100 militiamen under Captain Parker British outnumbered the militia and ordered them to go home. Some men begin to go home. Captain Parker wanted the minutemen to not back down. He said, “Stand your ground; don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”

Suddenly a shot rang out - no one knows which side fired Shot heard round the world - first shot fired in battle and started the American Revolution. Eventually, this shot led to a new nation

Battle of Lexington Result of brief battle – 8 colonists died

British Push on to Concord British found no arms and began to march back towards Boston. Bridge outside of Concord British see 300 minutemen prepared to fight. British were forced to retreat - lost 73 men and 200 soldiers were wounded or missing.

Fighting Begins in the North

Lexington and Concord News spreads quickly 10,000-15,000 militia rushed towards Boston

Second Continental Congress Convenes in Philadelphia on June 10, 1775. Did not convene with the idea that they were going to split with England The fighting Spread

Olive Branch Petition A petition sent to King George III. Declared loyalty to the King Asked him to repeal Intolerable Acts

He thinks the colonists want to create independent empire King George Reacts He thinks the colonists want to create independent empire Orders 20,000 more troops to region

Green Mountain Boys Leader Ethan Allen…(yes the furniture guy) really a blacksmith…led a group from Vermont

Ethan Allen

LEADS AN ATTACK ON FORT TICONDEROGA

Fort Ticonderoga Green Mountain Boys overpower guard on duty They rush to room where British commander is and Ethan Allen says “Come out you old rat!”

When asked by whose authority, he answers “In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Army!”

What they win… Supply of cannons and gunpowder Control of a key route into Canada.

Continental Army Forms Congress forms Continental Army in June Washington becomes commander He takes off for Boston

Many owned rifles and were good shots P’s Advantages Many owned rifles and were good shots Good commanders like George Washington Determined to fight to defend their homes and property

British Advantages Highly trained, experienced troops Best Navy in the World Many colonists supported British

Colonists poorly organized and untrained P’s Disadvantages Colonists poorly organized and untrained Few Cannons and little gunpowder No navy Few colonists willing to leave home militias and join Continental Army.

British Disadvantages Armies 3,000 miles from home News and supplies took months to come from Britain British soldiers risked attacks outside cities.

Loyalists Colonists who remained loyal to Britain Included wealthy merchants and former officials of Royal government

Loyalists Some farmers and craftworkers also loyalists. Mostly from middle and South

Loyalists Tarred and feathered by P’s Many fled to Canada, England, or to British controlled cities When they fled, they would lose their homes, farms, and stores

Fight for Boston Battle of Bunker Hill

Boston During the first year, 6000 British troops were located in Boston. Colonists surrounded the city, wouldn’t let them out

Battle of Bunker Hill On June 16, 1775, Colonel William Prescott led 1,200 minutemen up Bunker Hill across river from Boston. Reason: They could fire at British ships in Boston Harbor.

Breed’s Hill Prescott notices nearby Breed’s Hill is better so he sends troops there British General William Howe sees the Americans at sunrise.

Breed’s Hill He ferries 2400 redcoats to attack rebels positions. As British approached, Patriots held their fire When they finally fired, the British were first to retreat.

British Win The strategy of the Americans, because they were low on gun powder was not to fire “until you see the whites of their eyes.” After the third try, the British take Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill.

Their high price for victory More than 1000 Redcoats were dead or wounded. Americans numbered 400 dead or wounded.

RESULTS Battle of Bunker Hill first major battle of Revolutionary War American proved they could fight bravely. British proved they would not be defeated easily.

George Washington Arrives Arrives in Boston a few weeks after battle of Bunker Hill. He quickly turns raw recruits into an army. Soldiers from different colonies mistrusted one another but Washington won loyalty of his troops

Cannons Arrive In January 1776, the cannons arrive from Fort Ticonderoga. Washington places them in plain site overlooking Boston Harbor.

British Depart General Howe moves his troops and 1,000 loyalists from Boston to Halifax, Canada in March.

BLOCKADE King George III ordered a blockade of all colonial ports. The King uses mercenaries, or troops for hire, from Germany to help fight the colonists. They are called Hessians