DO NOW: 1)Locate: BostonBoston ConcordConcord LexingtonLexington 2)Name some major historical events that have occurred in Boston before the Revolution.

AIM: How did rising tensions between Britain and the American colonies finally lead to the start of the American Revolution?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Patriot Movement Against the BritishPatriot Movement Against the British –headed by Samuel Adams and John Hancock Americans had guns and ammunition storage in Concord, a city just outside of BostonAmericans had guns and ammunition storage in Concord, a city just outside of Boston The British, led by General Thomas Gage sent 700 troops to Concord to capture the American weapon supply.The British, led by General Thomas Gage sent 700 troops to Concord to capture the American weapon supply. British troops were also sent to arrest Adams and Hancock.British troops were also sent to arrest Adams and Hancock.

BEFORE THE BRITISH COULD MAKE THEIR MOVE…. ….THE COLONISTS FOUND OUT ABOUT THE BRITISH PLAN!

PAUL REVERE & “THE MIDNIGHT RUN” Dr. Joseph Warren learned of he British plans. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott were sent out to observe British movements and alert the colonists if the British were moving. Paul Revere had the orders that if he saw the British coming he would hang lanterns in the Old North Church steeple: 1 if by land 2 if by sea Paul Revere hung up 2 lanterns as he saw the British crossing Boston Harbor. To alert all of the colonists, the three men rode around Lexington exclaiming, “THE BRITISH ARE COMING!”

COLONIST REACTION Samuel Adams and John Hancock were able to escape in time.Samuel Adams and John Hancock were able to escape in time. The colonists organized a militia known as Minutemen.The colonists organized a militia known as Minutemen. They were called Minutemen because they needed to be prepared to fight on a minutes notice.They were called Minutemen because they needed to be prepared to fight on a minutes notice. The first shots fired between the Americans and British was on April 18, 1775.The first shots fired between the Americans and British was on April 18, 1775.

LEXINGTON British troops met by 75 armed Minutemen headed by Captain Jonas Parker. Seeing that they were outnumbered, the Minutemen began to retreat. ALL OF A SUDDEN…A SHOT RANG OUT! This led to more shooting and casualties: 8 Minutemen dead 10 Minutemen injured 1 British soldier dead

ColonistsAlong the way the British are attacked by bands of minutemen and other Colonists. By the time the British reach Boston there are: By the time the British reach Boston there are: 73 British dead73 British dead 174 wounded174 wounded CONCORD 700 British soldiers vs. about 400 in militia (colonial military)700 British soldiers vs. about 400 in militia (colonial military) Colonists manage to hide a large amount of weaponsColonists manage to hide a large amount of weapons British set fire to remaining weapons in Concord.British set fire to remaining weapons in Concord. Colonists push back British advances and the British retreat (head back) to Boston.Colonists push back British advances and the British retreat (head back) to Boston.

“TEA PARTY” ACTIVITY Picture this: –The class is transported back to 1775 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Battle of Concord and Lexington just occurred and no one is sure who fired the first shot. –We have all been invited to a tea party hosted by some member of society. –Our goals at the tea party are to mingle with the invited guests and figure out who fired the first shot. Every person in the class has a nametag of the person who they are going to be portraying. Attached to the nametag is that person’s account of the events of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Everyone will go around the room and interview various eyewitness; some colonial and some British soldiers. You Must interview 3 different people; make sure you have at least one colonist and one British soldier’s interview. As you interview your eyewitnesses, fill out the handout called, ““Tea Party” – Battle of Lexington and Concord Interviews”. DO NOT LOSE THIS PAPER BECAUSE YOU WILL NEED IT FOR YOUR HOMEWORK TONIGHT!!

A poet named Ralph Waldo Emerson proclaimed that the first shots of the Revolutionary War were "the shots heard around the world." What does this mean?What does this mean?

SUMMARY

HOMEWORK Choose a perspective for this activity: either British or American. Your job is to create the front page of a newspaper (either British or American) from the days following the battles of Lexington and Concord. Your page should include: –An interesting headline –A picture of your take on the events –A short caption (a paragraph or so) explaining what is in your picture –These can AND SHOULD be biased towards your perspective! After completing the article, on the backside of the handout, complete the questions for the political cartoon.