The American Revolution Begins

Objectives Identify and describe the first battle of the Revolutionary War Describe what the Americans did as a result of the first battle Identify the purpose of the Second Continental Congress and who they made commander of the Continental Army Describe King George III’s reaction

First Blood Battles of Lexington & Concord Lexington April 19, 1775Lexington British soldiers were to seize gunpowder in Concord 70 minutemen were waiting in town British commander said leave Someone yelled “fire”fire British troops fired, killing 8, including Prince Estabrook, a slave

Concord Americans hid in the woods and shot at the British linesBritish lines These first shots were called “the shot heard round the world” Brits retreated to Bostonretreated

Second Continental Congress May 1775 Some wanted to declare independence, including Christopher Gadsden (SC) Instead, they created Continental Army and made George Washington Commander in Chief Tried to make peace with Great Britain, Olive Branch Petition (OBP)

George Washington takes George Washington takes over

British Response to Colonists King George III declared a rebellion Hired German mercenaries (Hessians) to fight the colonists

Colonial Response Congress created “Committee of Five“ John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman -they were to draft a document in response to the king’s actions July 4 th 1776 The Declaration of Independence was approved (Aug. 2)Declaration

The D.O.I. Not everybody agreed Abigail Adams –was a critic b/c nothing about women’s rights in it Slavery was also left out of the D.O.I. because of southern delegates Turn to p in your Red book