1. The Road to Lexington and Concord
Learning Objective: How did tensions between Britain and the colonies lead to armed conflict in Massachusetts?

3. Militia – colonial troops who promised to defend their communities
Colonial Militias
Militia – colonial troops who promised to defend their communities
Minutemen – citizen-soldiers prepared to fight at a moments notice

4. Fighting Begins
King George declares colonies are in rebellion and ‘blows must decide’ who will control them
Thomas Gage receives orders to destroy weapons and arrest the leaders of the Massachusetts militia
Sends Francis Smith to Concord “where you will seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition you can find.”

5. Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

7. What was the mission of the midnight riders?
Charged with spreading the news about British troop movements
Arranged a system of signals to alert colonists
William Dawes and Paul Revere stopped by British patrol on their way to Lexington
Dr. Samuel Prescott carried message to Concord
Militia led by Captain John Parker is ready when the British soldiers arrive

9. History Rock Watch Shot Heard Round the World

15. What is the significance of these battles?
Signaled the start of the Revolution
Ralph Waldo Emerson – colonial troops had fired the “shot heard ‘round the world.”

16. Green Mountain Boys Vermont’s militia led by Ethan Allen
Joined forces with Benedict Arnold’s militia from Connecticut to capture Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain
Took fort by surprise – gained key location and military supplies

17. Benedict Arnold Captain in Connecticut militia
Later turned against Patriot cause
Sold military information to the British and led attacks against the Americans

19. Bunker Hill
Militia seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill – strategic locations overlooking Boston
Discussion: Low on ammo, militia told “Don’t fire until you see the white’s of their eyes.” What does this mean?
British victory but they suffered heavy losses
British learn defeating Americans will not be quick or easy
Look at interactive map

20. Loyalists
Do not think unfair taxes and laws were a good reason to fight

21. Patriots
Felt they could no longer live under British rule

22. Summary Questions
How did Benedict Arnold help and hurt the American cause?
“The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American.” What change was taking place in how the colonists saw themselves?
Activity: Illustrate the event that started the Revolution.