Chapter 6-3 The Road to Lexington from Concord

Keys Ideas Many Americans organized to oppose British policies Tensions between Britain and colonies led to outbreak of Revolutionary War

INTOLERABLE ACTS “We must master them or totally leave them to themselves.” Britain chose to “master” the colonies 1774 Parliament punish Massachusetts and the colonies with Coercive Acts Renamed Intolerable Acts - so harsh

INTOLERABLE ACTS 1. Closed Boston port until destroyed tea paid for 2. Banned Town Meetings 3. Replaced elected council with appointed one 4. Increased Governors power over colonists 5. Protected British officials accused of crimes from being tried by colonists 6. Allowed British troops to live in colonists homes 1. British General Thomas Gage appointed Governor

FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS September 1774 Delegates from ALL colonies met in Philadelphia (Georgia not send delegates but agreed to proposals) Proposed to Ban trade with Britain Begin training troops Agreed to meet again in 7 months PLANTED SEEDS OF FUTURE INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT

British Control Begins to Slip Colonists hoped boycott work – it didn`t this time British sent in more troops Colonists responded forcefully Patrick Henry: `...Give me liberty or give me death`.

April 18, 1775 THE REVOLUTION BEGINS

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere British Governor Gage heard of Sam Adams & John Hancock storing arms & ammunition in Concord – 20 miles NW of Boston Sons of Liberty were prepared with signals to warn of British troop movement One Lantern in Old North Church Steeple meant British taking land route; two lamps meant water route Paul Revere & William Dawes rode horseback spreading the information

April 19, 1775 LEXINGTON & CONCORD

700 British Troops vs 70 Colonial Militiamen Colonists ordered to drop weapons – first shot unknown – 7 militamen dead British march from Concord to Lexington to destroy supplies 4000 Militiamen line up at road and fight 1000 British sent to help them scramble back to Boston These were first Revolutionary War Battles `The shot heard around the world`

Americans now must Chose Sides Loyalists – support British Patriots – support rebels