The Continental Congress Colonial leaders know they need more than boycotts So they have the first Continental Congress. Sept. 1774

The Continental Congress Delegates to the Congress – John Adams – John Jay – Richard Henry Lee – George Washington – Patrick Henry Who said “ I am not a Virginian, but an American”

The Continental Congress Decisions of the Congress – They wrote down their grievances – And called for the repeal of thirteen acts – They felt that these Acts violated their rights against the laws of nature – Also called for another boycott of ALL British goods – Also for militias

The First Battles Colonists expect the war to begin in New England – So they held training and became known as the minute men

The First Battles Britain Sends Troops King George declares New England colonies to be in a state of rebellion April 1775 Sir Thomas Gage brings several thousand soldiers to Boston Had instructions to take away the weapons and take away the leaders Gage sends 700 troops to Concord

The First Battles Alerting the Colonists – April 18, 1775 Paul Revere and William Dawes warned that the “regulars are out.” – Samuel Adams is excited to fight for American independence.

The First Battles Fighting at Lexington and Concord – At dawn the minutemen and the redcoats the first shot was fired. – The Br. continue to march toward Concord. – Most of the militia’s supplies are gone and the Br. destroy one cannon and remaining gunpowder. – The minutemen annoy the Br. all the way to Boston. – The Br. had 174 wounded, 73 dead. – This battled is immortalized in the Concord Hymn that contain the words “shot heard around the world.”

More Military Action Benedict Arnold combines forces with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys They attack Ft. Ticonderoga and on May 10, 1775 the Br. surrender.

More Military Action Building Forces – Committees of correspondence want people to join militias – 20,000 militiamen around Boston. – For weeks, people were nervous to see what happens next

More Military Action The Battle of Bunker Hill – June 16, 1775 militiamen set up fortifications on Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. – The militiamen were told only to fire until they saw the whites of their eyes.

More Military Action Choosing Sides