THE REVOLUTION BEGINS

 The First Continental Congress decided to take no action against the British for the Intolerable Acts.  Many were hoping the problems could be solved peacefully.  The Congress did suggest the colonies begin to collect weapons and train militia in case they needed to protect themselves. FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

STORE YOUR WEAPONS

 Concord, Massachusetts was one place that muskets, rifles, gunpowder, and ammunition was stored.  The English found out about the weapons and were making plans to march to Concord to get the weapons and arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock. PAUL REVERE’S RIDE

 The Americans knew the British were suspicious, but they weren’t sure the British knew where the guns were.  The Sons of Liberty had many spies on the streets of Boston watching what the British soldiers were doing.  They watched to see if the soldiers were preparing to march. PAUL REVERE’S RIDE

 Paul Revere learned of secret plans the British had to march on Concord, Massachusetts.  The British planned to take the weapons and capture Sam Adams, and John Hancock.  Revere rode out on his horse to warn the local militias. PAUL REVERE’S RIDE

THE ROUTE OF REVERE AND DAWES

 Open your textbook to pages  Read these two pages.  Copy and answer the review question into your spiral. TIME TO READ

 Lexington Green was the first meeting of the American militia and the British Regulars  The American militia was assembled, but unorganized. Many of the men weren’t sure if they were to shoot or run as the British soldiers approached. THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

 The British approached quickly and the British officer ordered the Americans to lay down their arms.  At that moment, someone fired a shot.  To this day, no one knows if the bullet came from the American side or the British.  This unknown bullet began the American Revolution. From this point on, all would be different. THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

 8 Americans were killed and 9 were wounded.  Only 1 British soldier was wounded.  The British cheered their victory and marched on to Concord to capture the supplies, Adams, and Hancock. THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

 British soldiers searched Concord, but couldn’t find the weapons. The Colonists had hidden the guns and ammunition in barns and fields all over the town.  American militia from all of the neighboring towns heard about the fighting in Lexington and rushed to Concord to help in the fight. THE BATTLE OF CONCORD

 Now the Patriots had the advantage of men.  There was a short battle at North Bridge.  The British decided to retreat back to Boston.  All the way back, the Americans hid in the forests and towns and shot at the retreating soldiers.  By the time they returned to Boston, 250 British soldiers were either killed or wounded. THE BATTLE OF CONCORD

 Read pages  Answer the review question in your spiral.  Be sure to copy the question. TEXTBOOK TIME

 The next battle between the Americans and the British was the Battle of Bunker Hill.  The American plan was to gain good position so that they could eventually force the British out of the city of Boston. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

 The Charlestown peninsula overlooked the city of Boston.  The Americans decided that this point would give them a good view of the city and it was close enough to fire upon the city with cannon. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

 The Americans took Breed’s Hill in the middle of the night and dug trenches and earthen barricades.  The British noticed this in the morning and started to fire cannon at them from the ships in the harbor.  The cannon couldn’t reach the hill. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

 Next, the British put troops on the peninsula and set fire to nearby Charlestown.  British troops marched up the hill, but the Americans had a better position on the top of the hill and the British were beaten back. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

 The British troops marched up the hill for the second time.  This time, the American realized they were running low on ammunition.  American leader Colonel Prescott said to his men, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

 The Americans were victorious and beat the British army back a second time.  Now the situation with ammunition was very grave.  When the British marched up the hill for the third time, the Americans knew they were going to have to retreat and try to get off the peninsula. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

 Read textbook pages  Copy the ‘Summarize the Lesson’ section in your spiral.  When you are finished, you will complete the vocabulary review. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL