Discussion questions: 1.What story do the images tell? 2.What were the most striking aspects of the Battle of Bunker Hill? 3.If you had been a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, how might you have reacted to the news of Bunker Hill? 4.What lessons were learned from the Battle of Bunker Hill? 5.What advice would you have given to the Americans and the British?

The Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775

British Grenadiers attack the American fortifications on Breed's Hill.

The British attack on Breed's Hill

The death of the American General Warren at the climax of the Battle of Bunker Hill by John Trumbull

Summer of 1775 Washington  Boston to take command. The British had Boston blockaded. Washington approved a plan to invade Canada. Hoping for a 14 th colony. Benedict Arnold was one of the leaders attacking Quebec. Was this a good idea?

The plan failed. 

Previously, Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen had led an attack on Fort Ticonderoga capturing British artillery. The artillery  Boston & put on high ground forcing the British to withdraw. 9,000 British soldiers and 1,000 Loyalists left Boston. No Loyalists were killed but property and homes were seized and destroyed.

Sunday June 18, 1775 Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams Dearest Friend The Day; perhaps the decisive Day is come on which the fate of America depends. my bursting Heart must find vent at my pen. I have just heard that our dear Friend Dr. Warren is no more but fell gloriously fighting for his Country- saying better to die honourably in the field than ignominiously hang upon the Gallows. great is our Loss. He has distinguished himself in every engagement, by his courage and fortitude, by animating the Soldiers & leading them on by his own example. Charlstown is laid in ashes. The Battle began upon our intrenchments upon Bunkers Hill, a Saturday morning about 3 oclock & has not ceased yet & tis now 3 o'clock Sabbeth afternoon. Almighty God cover the heads of our Country men, & be a shield to our Dear Friends. how [many ha]ve fallen we know not-the constant roar of the cannon is so [distre]ssing that we can not Eat Drink or Sleep -- may we be supported and sustaind in the dreadful conflict. I shall tarry here till tis thou[ght] unsafe by my Friends, & then I have secured myself a retreat at your Brothers who has kindly offerd me part of his house. I cannot compose myself to write any further at present -- I will add more as I hear further--

Dr. Joseph Warren (June 11, 1741 – June 17, 1775) was an American doctor who played a leading role in American Patriot organizations in Boston in early days of the American Revolution, eventually serving as president of the revolutionary Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Warren enlisted Paul Revere and William Dawes on April 18, 1775, to leave Boston and spread the alarm that the British garrison in Boston was setting out to raid the town of Concord and arrest rebel leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Warren participated in the next day's Battles of Lexington and Concord, which are commonly considered to be the opening engagements of the American Revolutionary War.American PatriotBoston American Revolution Massachusetts Provincial CongressPaul RevereWilliam DawesJohn HancockSamuel AdamsBattles of Lexington and Concord American Revolutionary War Warren had been commissioned a Major General in the colony's militia shortly before the June 17, 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. Rather than exercising his rank, Warren served in the battle as a private soldier, and was killed in combat when British troops stormed the redoubt atop Breed's Hill. His death, immortalized in John Trumbull's painting, The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775, galvanized the rebel forces, and he has been memorialized in many place names in the United States.Major GeneralBattle of Bunker HillBreed's HillJohn Trumbull The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775 is an oil painting by John Trumbull depicting the death of Joseph Warren at the June 17, 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill, during the American Revolutionary War. Warren, an influential Massachusetts politician, had been commissioned a general but served in the battle as a volunteer. He was killed during or shortly after the storming of the redoubt atop Breed's Hill by British troops. The painting is one of the iconic images of the American Revolution.oil paintingJohn TrumbullJoseph Warren Battle of Bunker HillAmerican Revolutionary War MassachusettsBreed's HillBritish

The British attack on Breed's Hill seen from behind Charlestown

John Adams in Philadelphia Debate in the Second Continental Congress John Adams will be trying hard to get Congress to send Massachusetts assistance Olive Branch Petition Bunker Hill Continental Army Washington's appointment general of Continental Army Washington with soldiers outside of Boston Guns from Ft. Ticonderoga & British evacuate Boston

1. How would you describe the Second Continental Congress? Why was there so much tension among the delegates to Congress? What different points of view did you notice among the delegates? 2. Was sending the king an Olive Branch Petition to ask for peace a good idea? 3. Why was it so difficult to generate Congress’ support for Massachusetts? 4. Why did John Adams make a smart move by nominating George Washington from Virginia to lead the Continental Army? Why was Virginia seen as being so important? 5. How well was Congress supplying Washington’s troops?