Moving Toward Independence

“Acts” outrage people of all colonies British actions threaten colonial rights and liberty June Committee of Correspondence of Boston Call mtg. of colonial reps Aug delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) meet in Philly 55 men Major players include… Samuel and John Adams, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, John Hancock Draft letter to Parliament Demand repeal of all “Acts” Ban all trade w/ Britain until they comply All colonies to form militias (colonial volunteer armies) Set date for May to meet again if demands not met

Conflict over Intolerable Acts turns Massachusetts into armed camp Both Groups (militia and British) Mass. colonial militia call themselves “Minutemen” b/c ready in minute’s notice Parliament sends General Thomas Gage and 6,000 “Redcoats” to occupy Boston His instructions were to take weapons from militia and arrest leaders Learns colonials storing guns and ammo in Concord (20 miles NW of Boston) 18 April sends 700 Redcoats to Concord to “seize and destroy all artillery and ammunition you can find.”

18 April Dr. Joseph Warren walks streets of Boston to observe the acts of the Redcoats Redcoats form and march north out of the city Warren rushes to alert Paul Revere and William Dawes (Sons of Liberty) Revere, Dawes and others ride to Lexington and Concord to warm the colonials Sam Adams and John Hancock are to be arrested in Lexington Moonlit ride they gallop off yelling “the regulars are coming!” to every home along the way Revere caught and arrested Dawes and others get the message out

Redcoats arrive in dawn 70 “Minutemen” meet them in center of city ready to fight Standoff ensues Suddenly… Someone fires- no one knows who, or what side 1 st shot of the Revolutionary War When smoke clears 8 Minutemen lay dead 1 Redcoat wounded Redcoats continue their march to Concord Found not much left, turned back for Boston Outside of Concord, Minutemen gathered Hiding in bushes waiting for Redcoats As passed, showered the Redcoats with bullets 1,000’s soon joined in grabbing their muskets and running toward the gunfire all the way back to Boston By time reached Boston, 174 Redcoats were wounded and 73 killed

Shortly after… Capt. Benedict Arnold of Connecticut militia ordered to take Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain Ethan Allen & Vermont’s militia given same order Join together become “Green Mountain Boys” Catch Brits by surprise Take fort on 10 May 1775 In Massachusetts… Colonial militia’s numbers grow to 20,000+!!! For weeks the 2 armies nervously wait to see what happens next

16 June colonial militia move into Bunker and Breeds Hills under Col. William Prescott Across harbor from Boston Dug in for protection British Gen. William Howe (replaced Gage) Sends troops up the hills Militia tired from digging all night now face British Army! Prescott orders militia… “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” Colonials beat back charge 4 times killing over a 1000!!! Unfortunately… run out of gun powder and forced to retreat GIVES British victory, but it’s a costly one

10 May nd Continental Congress assembles Delegate Heavyweights John & Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson Began to govern the colonies Printed Money Established committees to communicate w/ natives and other countries Even set up a Post Office Most important… Created the Continental Army George Washington General in Command Despite Battles of Lexington and Concord, many not prepared to break away form England

Washington leaves to take charge of army in Boston Delegates offer Britain last chance to avoid all-out-war petition July send petition, or formal request to King George III Olive Branch Petition Olive Branch Petition Asks King to protect the rights of the colonists which Parliament seemed determined to destroy King George III refuses to even read it!!! Instead ready's for war Hessians mercenaries Hires 30,000 Hessians as mercenaries to fight along Brits German army for hire, known for ruthlessness

Meanwhile, Congress learned Brits in Canada plan to attack NY Decide to strike first Patriot force from Fort Ticonderoga, led by Benedict Arnold attack and conquer Montreal Continue onto Quebec Failed to take Quebec though Patriots waited outside of Quebec B4 returning to Fort Ticonderoga Washington reaches Boston just after Battle of Bunker Hill Numbers growing everyday, but young, inexperienced, and undisciplined Begins work on shaping them up Colonial civilians into Continental Army March Washington feels they’re ready Form horseshoe around British-occupied Boston Begin bombing Brits lead by General Howe Retreat to ships in harbor and sail to Nova Scotia, Canada 17 March Washington leads troops into Boston

Late early 1776, most still hope to avoid war, hope call for independence growing Common Sense January Thomas Paine publishes pamphlet called Common Sense Calls for complete independence from Britain Agues that it is “common sense” to stop following a bully and stand up for ourselves as a nation struggle for freedom… the cause of all mankind” Not a squabble over taxes, but a “struggle for freedom… the cause of all mankind”

2 nd Continental Congress filled w/ debate Central issue Should they declare themselves independent nation? April NC delegates instructed to vote for independence if proposed 7 June Richard Henry Lee (VA) proposes resolution of independence Congress debates resolution Some think not ready Others believe battles have already decided our fight All fear British power! While debate, form committee to draft Declaration of Independence John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman Jefferson selected to write it; draws inspiration from English philosopher John Locke People born w/ inalienable rights; life liberty, and pursuit of happiness 4 July Voted on and adopted

As colonists heard of battles… Faced major decision Loyalist or Patriot? Loyalists: colonials who wanted to stay loyal to crown Did not consider unfair taxes and poor laws reason enough to break away Also Brits best army in world Going to win, why end up hanged as a traitor? Patriots: colonials wanted freedom and independence from the crown Felt these taxes and unfair laws were just the beginning and would stop at nothing to be treated as free, independent men PATRIOT Parkway LOYALIST Lane