1. America Secedes 20,000 minutemen surround British at Boston
2nd Continental Congress
Independence?
congress sends list to Britain
adopts measures to raise money
chooses GW to command army
GW looked like a leader
did not accept pay

2. Bunker Hill
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture British forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point (May, 1775)
Colonials seize Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)
British launch frontal attack
After Bunker Hill George declares open rebellion
Hessians hired (booty not duty)

3. Abortive conquest of Canada
Decision to try for 14th colony
Assumed French Canadians would support them
American attempt fails as Montgomery and Arnold retreat

4. Common Sense Thomas Paine Urged all out war
Smaller Britain controls America
Wanted Republic for America
Some favored “natural aristocracy”

5. Explanation of Independence
Congress in Philadelphia moves toward inde.
June 7, 1776: Richard Henry
Congress appoints Jefferson
becomes a list of complaints and rights of man
July 2 becomes day of celebration

6. Patriots and Loyalty Patriots (whigs) vs. Loyalists (torries)
British could only control loyalist areas
Loyalists strongest around Anglican church
Patriots much younger
Some farmers sold to highest bidder

7. Loyalist Exodus Patriots often sold off loyalist land
Some 50,000 served the British during the war

8. French French provide gunpowder Fear of American reconciliation
After Saratoga, British ready to give home rule
French offer alliance and independence