Chapter 7.1 The Revolution Begins…Part 2 After Battle of Lexington – Minutemen ran to Concord to help defend the armory. Holding place for weapons to be used during war time.

The British move on to Concord… News gets to Concord that Lexington has fallen. – British redcoats are on way to Concord. Redcoats = troops Concord is more ready than Lexington – They have 500 minutemen ready!

Battle of Concord, MA The Minutemen hold off the British!! – Kill over 250 British troops – British retreat back to Boston Never captured the weapons in Concord The King is not going to be happy…..

May 1775 It’s obvious King George is not going to give rights to the colonists So what do we do now? – Have another meeting. Second Continental Congress – Met in Philadelphia, PA again.

What will the Continental Congress agree to do with King George? Massachusetts and Virginia – Want to declare war on Britain! Get help from French! Pennsylvania – No war! Other 9 colonies – Split in their decision

Olive Branch Petition July 1775 – 2 months of debate! Continental Congress agrees to: – Ask the King for peace in a letter. Called Olive Branch Petition – Give us representation and we will stop boycotting! – Make a Continental Army to defend the colonies Led by Virginian George Washington

So what does King George say to the Olive Branch Petition? NO!!!! – I will hold Boston ransom! – If the colonists want their city back, they have to give up the boycott and rebelling!

The Revolution moves on… Now that war is unavoidable, we need supplies. Two options: 1.Make our own 2.Steal them from a British fort…. Of course we pick #2!

May 10, 1775 Officer Benedict Arnold leads minutemen against British at Fort Ticonderoga, NY – Surprise attack during storm Captured large supply of: – Rifles – ammunition – Cannons

Battle for Boston Begins… American patriots want to take back the city of Boston – Start a siege Soldiers surround city until time of attack. – Defensive positions: Breed’s Hill Bunker Hill – British troops are going to come after the Patriots to end the siege…

Battle of Bunker Hill a-costly-victory-at-bunker-hill a-costly-victory-at-bunker-hill

March 1776 Because of the heavy casualties from the Battle of Bunker Hill – General Washington attacks the city of Boston. Uses cannon that were stolen from Fort Ticonderoga. – March 7, 1776 Britain troops leave Boston! » Hurray!

April –June 1776 It’s Too late to apologize… American colonists have rallied behind Gen. Washington and the Continental Army – This is our land and we are going to fight for it. Someone needs to tell the King that this is all his fault…. – We will in July.