Pages A Call To Arms By: Kassidy Dean Gabby Roberts Mikayla Schupbach

Continental Congress In September 1774, 55 men arrived in the city of Philadelphia to form the Continental Congress, who challenged the British control. Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Jay, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington were all delegate leaders.

Continental Congress  No British products to be bought or consumed in the colonies.  No colonial products to be traded with Britain.  Start of a Boycott.  They also called the Suffolk Resolves to arms against the British.  The people responded by forming militias.

First Battles  If fighting broke out, the colonist thought it would start in New England.  Militia companies made bullets, stockpiled rifles and muskets.  Men known as minutemen said that they were ready to fight on a minutes notice. 4

Continued  King George announced to Parliament that the New England Colonies were “in a state of rebellion”, and that “blows must decide” who controlled America.  Sir Thomas Gage had soldiers under his command in and around Boston.

Alerting The Colonists  Paul Revere and William Dawes rode to Lexington a town east of Concord to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord  70 minutemen were positioned on the town common with muskets in hand.  Britain moved on to Concord and discovered that most of the militias gunpowder was removed.  Was the “Shot Heard ‘Round The World”

Battle of Bunker Hill  The redcoats assembled at the bottom of Breed’s Hill.  The Americans opened fire and forced the British to retreat.  British won the battle but suffered losses.

The Second Continental Congress  The Second Continental Congress had begun to govern the colonies.  It created the Continental Army to fight against Britain. George Washington became the leader.  The Olive Branch petition assured the king of the colonists desired peace.

Colonist Take Offence  The Americans heard that the British was planning to invade New York, so the Americans wanted to invade first.  Washington saw that the men lacked discipline and organization and leadership so he decided to make the civilians to an army.

Colonies Declare Independence  Big Decision: Should the colonies declare themselves independent, or should they stay under British rule?  On July 2, 1776 the congress decided to vote for independence.  July 4,1776 they decided to make it official.