Americans Fight for Freedom Chapter Five
Vocabulary Words Equality: Fairness, sameness Loyalists: Americans who supported the British in the Revolutionary War. Neutralists: Colonists who did not care which side won the Revolutionary War. Pamphlet: A thin booklet with paper cover. Patriots: Americans who wanted independence from Britain.
Vocabulary Words Pursuit: The act of going after something, of seeking it. Retreat: To move back from. to escape. Surrender: To give up. Traitor: A person who helps his country’s enemies. Unified: Joined together as one.
Liberty or Death! The Colonists Prepare to Fight The First Continental Congress tried to settle problems between England and the American colonies, but things did not get better. The Colonists wanted the tax on tea lifted. King George III was prepared for trouble. The Colonists wanted their freedom back. They said, ”Give me liberty, or give me death”. Patrick Henry cried this phrase!
Liberty or Death! The Colonists Prepare to Fight Men between the ages 16 and 50 agreed to fight on a minutes notice. These men were known as Minutemen. The Minutemen began to store guns and bullets in Concord. Concord was a town 20 miles outside of Boston.
“If They Want War, Let it Begin Here” British General Thomas Gage knew about the guns stored in Concord and planned a surprise raid. On April 18, 1775, about 1,000 British soldiers marched towards Concord. During this march someone was watching. The Boston Colonists developed a signal to alert them how the British were coming. They used the church tower light. One light flashed meant by land and 2 flashes meant by sea.
“The British are Coming” Paul Revere was the one who would prepare the Minutemen for battle. When the British were marching into Concord he would ride through the colony by horse yelling, “THE BRITISH ARE COMING”. Revere rode horseback over 16 miles with William Dawes shouting this cry. Revere and Dawes were eventually captured, but Samuel Prescott continued the ride. When the British arrived in Lexington only 40 Minutemen were waiting. American Captain John Parker gave the order, “Stand your guard. Don’t fight unless fired upon. But if they want war, let it begin”.
Video Clip PAUL REVERE PAUL REVERE