1. The Revolution Begins
Ch. 4 Section 1

2. The First Continental Congress
Closing of the Boston Harbor was final insult in a long list of abuses.
All colonies except Georgia sent representatives to a meeting in Oct known as the First Continental Congress – a gathering of colonial leaders who were deeply troubled about the relationship between Great Britain and its colonies in America.
They met at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia.
Leaders remain locked in intense debates for weeks.
Patrick Henry and others believed that violence was unavoidable
Delegates from Pennsylvania and New York were under strict orders to seek peace.

3. Results of the First Continental Congress (FCC)
Compromised to continue boycotting British goods
Told colonial militias to get ready for war
Drafted the Declaration of Rights (a list of 10 resolutions) to King George III
Included the colonists’ right to “life, liberty and property.”
The goal of the FCC was to state the colonists’ concerns and ask the king to correct the problems.
They agreed to meet in 1775 if the king refused their petition.

4. The Ride of Paul Revere
British military leaders grew uneasy when it seemed the local militias seemed to be preparing for action.
Mass. Gov. Thomas Gage learned that a stockpile of weapons was stored in Concord, about 20 miles from Boston; seized all the supplies in April 1775
Thought the plan was secret but there Boston was full of spies.
Sons of Liberty member Paul Revere enlisted the aid of Robert Newman.
The Plan
Newman was to climb into the steeple of Old North Church and watch for British soldiers.
If they advanced across land, Newman would display one lantern
If they crossed the Charles River, he’d display two lanterns.
Seeing two lanterns, Revere and William Dawes rode out of Boston sounding the alarm.
Drums and church bells called out the local militia known as the Minutemen (ready at a minute’s notice).

5. Old North Church Boston, Ma

6. Battles at Lexington and Concord
British troops arrived in Lexington on April 19, with 70 minutemen waiting on them.
Patriot John Parker yelled, “Don’t fire unless fired upon.”
A shot rang out and became known as the ‘shot heard around the world.’
8 Patriots died, 10 Patriots wounded; One British soldier was dead and they marched on to Concord.
Most of the weapons had been hidden, the ones left were concealed.
British got frustrated at the disappearing of weapons and set fire to a few buildings.
Minutemen charged forward in reaction.
British soldiers made an easy target because of the bright red jackets and became known as the Redcoats
The British was forced to retreat Boston with many casualties.

7. Map of routes

8. The Second Continental Congress
King George III refused the Declaration of Rights, and delegates from 12 colonies met again in Philadelphia for the 2nd Continental Congress.
Represented the first attempt at a Republican government.
Some called for war, others for peace
RESULT
Sent word to the colonial authorities for state constitutions
States set up conventions to write them
Authorized the Mass. Militia to become the Continental Army.
Congress named Virginian, George Washington, to command the army.
Congress signed the Olive Branch Petition as last attempt to restore harmony
King George refused to read it and looked for new ways to punish colonists

9. Early Battles: Bunker Hill
Boston leaders sent Benedict Arnold and 400 men to New York State for supplies
Objective: attack the British at Fort Ticonderoga
Arnold captured fort and supply of weapons in May 1775
The colonial forces dug in to Breed’s Hill, a point overlooking north Boston, where Redcoats would have to cross the Boston Harbor and fight their way up.
The British climbed the exposed hill and was cut down by Patriots. They retreated twice. Patriots was out of ammunition and retreated by third try.
Battle proved the Patriots could take the Redcoats
It was a tragic victory for the British because they’d sacrificed double he casualties than the Patriots.

10. “Don’t Fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

11. Early Battles: Dorchester Heights
George Washington arrived in Boston shortly after Bunker Hill to command the Continental Army
He needed heavier guns and assigned Colonel Henry Knox to bring the captured cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.
March 4, 1776, Washington moved troops to Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston.
Stationed on Nook’s Hill overlooking British general William Howe’s position.
Gen. Howe awoke the next morning to the Patriots’ well-positioned artillery.
The British retreated to Canada on March 7.
Boston was now in the hands of the Patriots.