Chapter 6: The Road to Revolution Section 3: The Road to Lexington and Concord Section 3: The Road to Lexington and Concord Section 4: Declaring Independence Section 4: Declaring Independence

By 1774, the colonies had enough, and wanted to… Begin organizing troops – just in case they needed them (they really didn ’ t want to fight if they didn ’ t absolutely have to). They knew it would probably be a losing battle – fighting the most powerful country in the world. Begin organizing troops – just in case they needed them (they really didn ’ t want to fight if they didn ’ t absolutely have to). They knew it would probably be a losing battle – fighting the most powerful country in the world. Make one final push to get England to change its mind about how they were treating the colonies. Make one final push to get England to change its mind about how they were treating the colonies.

In 1775, the colonists (and a group called “ the Sons of Liberty ” ) Heard the British were going to arrest some colonists and steal some of their supplies. Heard the British were going to arrest some colonists and steal some of their supplies. The Colonists put two men in charge of keeping an eye on what these British were up to. The Colonists put two men in charge of keeping an eye on what these British were up to.

William Dawes and Paul Revere When the British started coming, the signal would be put in the Old North Church ’ s steeple When the British started coming, the signal would be put in the Old North Church ’ s steeple 1 lantern if the British were coming by land, 2 lanterns if they were coming by sea. 1 lantern if the British were coming by land, 2 lanterns if they were coming by sea.

When the British arrived, they rode through the countryside on their horses: – telling everyone “ the British are coming, the British are coming. ” – telling everyone “ the British are coming, the British are coming. ”

Revere's later service during the Revolution was unremarkable; he was charged with cowardice and insubordination and forced to resign after participating in a failed effort to oust a British force from a fort in Maine. (This decision was overturned in a later court-martial sought by Revere.) After the war, he resumed his smithing business in Boston and in 1797 opened an iron foundry, which became noted for its cast church bells. Paul Revere

The next day, the British met up with the colonial “ soldiers ” At Lexington and Concord At Lexington and Concord (the first real fighting of the American Revolution).

The two sides Loyalists Loyalists People who loyal to England and King George People who loyal to England and King George Patriots Patriots People who wanted independence from England People who wanted independence from England

Some other people Militiamen – Anyone fighting for the colonists Militiamen – Anyone fighting for the colonists Minutemen – Colonial soldiers who ’ d be ready at a minutes notice Minutemen – Colonial soldiers who ’ d be ready at a minutes notice Redcoats – British soldiers Redcoats – British soldiers

The colonists needed someone to lead their Army How about George Washington? How about George Washington? He was respected, well liked, and had experience leading troops in battle (during the French and Indian War) – so they decided he’d be okay. He was respected, well liked, and had experience leading troops in battle (during the French and Indian War) – so they decided he’d be okay. He was NOT president yet. He was NOT president yet.

Despite all this, many Americans wanted to avoid a War They knew they ’ d be fighting the most powerful nation in the world. They knew they ’ d be fighting the most powerful nation in the world. But Thomas Paine wrote a book called “Common Sense” – a very influential book. But Thomas Paine wrote a book called “Common Sense” – a very influential book. It ridiculed the idea that kings ruled by “the will of God.” It ridiculed the idea that kings ruled by “the will of God.” He disagreed with the idea that the Colonies needed England for economic reasons. He disagreed with the idea that the Colonies needed England for economic reasons. After people read it, most continentals were ready to fight for their independence. After people read it, most continentals were ready to fight for their independence. ( Anyone who lived in the colonies) ( Anyone who lived in the colonies)

The Continental Congress decided to write a letter to England (telling them they were planning to be independent – and why). (telling them they were planning to be independent – and why). A committee of 5 men were chosen to write this letter, but Thomas Jefferson actually did all the writing. A committee of 5 men were chosen to write this letter, but Thomas Jefferson actually did all the writing.

This “ letter ” was “ The Declaration of Independence ”

But… this did not mean the colonies automatically had their independence. They would still have to fight for it… and prove worthy of it. They would still have to fight for it… and prove worthy of it. One place they ought was at Bunker Hill – a place where for the first time the colonial militia had held their own against the world ’ s most powerful army (the British). One place they ought was at Bunker Hill – a place where for the first time the colonial militia had held their own against the world ’ s most powerful army (the British).

One of 6 essential questions this year is: What is revolutionary change? This section tells you about how the colonists felt they needed some changes – maybe revolutionary, maybe not. This section tells you about how the colonists felt they needed some changes – maybe revolutionary, maybe not. What do you feel might be a difference between simple changes and revolutionary changes? What do you feel might be a difference between simple changes and revolutionary changes?