2. The Continental Congress The colonial leaders realized they needed more than boycotts. September 1774 first Continental Congress. In Philadelphia.

3. The Continental Congress Delegates to the Congress George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Jay, Richard Henry Lee, & Patrick Henry, who said “I am not a Virginian, but an American.”

4. The Continental Congress Decisions of the Congress They know they have to work together – List of Grievances – Want Britain to repeal Acts since 1763 – Britain is violating the rights of English men against the Laws of Nature – Boycotting all British goods coming in and out – Encouraging all colonies to start militias

5. The First Battles Militias are having regular training sessions Mass. Militia becomes known as the minutemen Preparing for war in New England & Britain

6. The First Battles Britain Sends Troops King George III declares N.E. to be in a state of rebellion Send Sir Thomas Gage with thousands of troops – Supposed to take away Mass. Weapons – Capture the leaders-John Hancock, & Samuel Adams – Sends 700 troops to Concord

7. The First Battles Alerting the Colonists – Paul Revere & William Dawes went on famous midnight ride to alert the colonists and leaders – “The regulars are out.” – They wanted to hide the weapons & gun powder – Samuel Adams is excited to fight for independence

8. The First Battles Fighting at Lexington and Concord When redcoats get to Lexington there were already 70 minutemen waiting for them A Shot is fired and they exchange fire - This known as the shot heard round’ the world - around the world because it sparked revolutions for many other countries When the British get to Concord they destroyed the rest of weapons and gunpowder – One cannon, & a little bit of gun powder – They don’t get what they came for-not successful mission

9. More Military Action Bennedict Arnold meets up with the green mountain boys led by Ethan Allen They march toward Fort Ticonderoga The British Surrender Fort Ticonderoga May 10 th 1775 less than a month after Lexington and Concord

10. More Military Action Building Forces Militia around Boston grew to 20,000 Both sides wait for the next thing to happen

11. More Military Action The Battle of Bunker Hill June 16 th 1775 militia build a fort on top of Bunker and Breeds Hill Militia is short on ammunition, however they have an advantage because they are at the top of the hill The British do win however, the British have over a 1,000 wounded or dead British learned that the Americans won’t go down without a fight

12. More Military Action Choosing Sides Colonists had to choose to join the rebels or the British About a third were patriots, a third were British, and a third were whatever surrounded them Patriots knew they had to fight until independence was won If not, the Patriots would be punished for treason