1. Start of the Revolutionary War

2. The Boston Massacre March 5th, 1770
Colonists were unhappy about the number of British troops in Boston
A riot broke out and a mob of colonists attacked a British sentinel
A British officer ordered his men to fire into the crowd, which killed 2 men and wounded several others

3. The First Continental Congress
Met in September 1774 in Philadelphia
Delegates voted to ban all trade with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were stopped
Voted that each colony should start training troops
This meeting was a starting point for American Democracy

4. Paul Revere’s Ride
Paul Revere was one of the men responsible for reporting movement of British Troops
This served to warn the colonial army and better prepare them

5. Lexington and Concord First battles of the Revolutionary War
This forced all of the colonies into war
Colonists had to choose who they supported; Loyalists supported the British and Rebels supported the Revolution

6. Continental Army is Formed
20,000 volunteers began gathering around Boston
They captured Fort Ticonderoga which held a large supply of British artillery
Boston was chosen as a secure location since it was mostly surrounded by water

7. Stop and Think What is so great about Artillery?
Boston is almost completely surrounded by water; why is this a big advantage for the Colonists?

8. Second Continental Congress
Officially voted on the forming of a Continental Army
George Washington was chosen to lead
Agreed to print paper money with which to pay the Colonial Army
First signs of acting as a government

9. Battle of Bunker Hill

10. Declaration of Independence
Continental Congress decided to completely break free from Britain and form their own country
Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the document
Signed by 56 members of Congress
This signature was an act of treason and punishable by death

11. Critical Thinking Questions
Would you have been a Loyalist or a Rebel?
What would happen to the Continental Congress if the revolution failed?
What did the Colonists have to gain if the Revolution succeeded?