1. A Call to Arms
Chapter 5 – Section 3

2. In September 1774, as anger toward the British grew, 55 delegates from the colonies gathered in Philadelphia to form the Continental Congress. The Continental Congress was a political body formed to challenge British control and stand up for the colonies.
An outspoken representative from Virginia, Patrick Henry, wanted to unite a strong front against the British. He gave a rousing address on the second day of the meeting that helped unite the delegates.
"The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American."
-Patrick Henry, at the Continental Congress, 1774

3. Biography
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was Virginia’s first governor. Before the age of 10, he received some education in a local school and was later tutored by his father. He owned two stores that failed, and he was also unsuccessful as a farmer. After marrying Sarah Shelton, Henry needed to find a way to support his growing family. He decided to study law. He used his wit, speaking skills, and wisdom about people to succeed. In the years leading up to the American Revolution, Patrick Henry became an influential leader who opposed British rule. He was convinced that war with Britain was inevitable. Henry will always be remembered for his famous words, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

4. The Continental Congress
In September 1774, fifty-five delegates gathered in Philadelphia. They had come to set up a political body that would represent Americans and challenge British control. The delegates called this body the Continental Congress.
They agreed to meet again if the British did not address their complaints.
The first continental congress did not seek separation from Great Britain. Its goal was to state the colonists’ concerns and ask the king to correct the problems.

5. The Delegates Vote (Summarize)
The delegates discussed complaints against the British. Then they voted.
The delegates called for a repeal of 13 acts of parliament. They believed these laws violated their rights.
The delegates also voted to boycott British trade. The colonies would not import or use any British goods, nor would they sell their goods in Great Britain.
They also stated that the coercive acts (intolerable acts) were illegal.
They called on the county’s residents to arm themselves against the British. Colonies organized militias.
Some militias were known as minutemen because they would be ready to fight at a minute's notice

6. The British also got ready for a fight
The British also got ready for a fight. King George told Parliament that the New England Colonies were "in a state of rebellion" and that "blows must decide" who would control America.
By April 1775, several thousand British troops were in and around Boston, with more on the way.

7. Battles of Lexington and Concord
Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the Revolutionary War, although it was not yet called a war by the people of the time.
It was, however, a time of decision. Colonists were forced to choose sides.
Those colonists loyal to the British were called Loyalists. They did not think unfair taxes and laws justified a rebellion.
Colonists loyal to the colonial rebels were called Patriots. They believed that the colonists should have the right to govern themselves.

8. More Military Action
After the battles at Lexington and Concord, armed conflict with British forces quickly spread. Benedict Arnold, a captain in the Connecticut militia, raised a force of 400 to seize Fort Ticonderoga near Lake Champlain in New York.  Ticonderoga occupied a key location. It was also rich in military supplies. Benedict Arnold learned that Ethan Allen of nearby Vermont also planned to attack the fort. So Arnold joined forces with Allen's men— the so-called Green Mountain Boys.  On May 10, 1775 they both captured the fort and its large supply of weapons.
Later, Arnold became a traitor to the Patriot cause. He sold military information to the British. When his crime was discovered in September 1780, he fled to British-controlled New York City. There he commanded British troops and led raids against the Americans in Virginia and Connecticut.