The “Midnight Ride”, and the “Shot Heard Round the World” The Beginning of the American Revolution

What do we Already Know?? Acts, Acts, Acts What Acts did the English Parliament pass and Why? American Protests How did Americans protest these acts? Famous Protests What were the famous incidents and protests? Punishments How did England seek to punish the colonies? Did it work? 1 st Continental Congress What was it, and where was it held? What two decisions did the representatives make

Two Sides, The coming Revolution split American Opinions Patriots Supported the Colonies and their opinions and rights Also called “Yankees” Loyalists Supported England, the King, and Parliament Wanted to remain loyal to the king, and part of England Also called Tories

Spies!!!! Both sides had spies General Gage in Boston used spies to get information about the Patriots Spies tell Gage Patriots are collecting Ammunition in Concord Sam Adams and John Hancock are in Lexington April 18, Gage orders his troops to arrest Hancock and Adams, and destroy the weapons

The Sons of Liberty Respond! Spies tell the Sons of Liberty what is going to happen the next day They knew the British would eventually do something like this, so they had a plan already put together

Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott “One if by land, Two if by sea” ……They saw 2 Revere and Dawes took different routes They met Prescott in Lexington and road off to Concord, the whole way warning “The British are Coming” Revere and Dawes were caught before they got to Concord, but Prescott got through

April 19, 1775 Lexington Massachusetts 700 British troops reach Lexington, and are met by 70 militia led by Capt. John Parker The British order them to leave…they refuse A shot is fired 8 Militiamen are killed

Later in Concord British destroy the stored weapons They are attacked by militia on the outskirts of Concord They begin to retreat towards Boston

British Retreat to Boston The British are attacked by American Militiamen all the way back to Boston 4,000 Militiamen eventually showed up 1,000 more British troops arrive to help the rest get back to Boston

“The Shot Heard Round the World” Ralph Waldo Emerson called Lexington and Concord “The Shot Heard Round the World” Why? The dispute over taxes, representation, and rights had exploded into open warfare The American Revolution had begun!