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LexingtonConcord
Second Continental Congress
Upon hearing of the Intolerable Acts, colonies assembled
September 1774, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia
Wrote DECLARATION OF COLONIAL RIGHTS: Right to run their own affairs Supported protests in MA Stated if British used force against the colonies,
the colonies would fight back.
Agreed to reconvene May 1775 if demands were not met
Tensions with British troops building British troops in Boston increasing Colonists in eastern NE towns stepped up military
preparations Stockpiled firearms and gunpowder. General Thomas Gage learned of these, planned
to seize the illegal weapons in Concord.
Colonists in Boston were keeping watch over the British troops moves.
Night of April 18, 1775 – Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread the word
700 British troops were headed for Concord
From there Pre-arranged signals were sent from town to town that the British were coming.
G.B. Troops Reached Lexington at dawn
70 minutemen drew up in lines on town green
Militia ordered to drop guns and disperse
British commander ordered to surround and disarm militia
Someone fired, British fired, colonists fled
8 minutemen killed, 9 wounded, 1 British soldier injured
Lasted 15 minutes
British continued on to Concord
Arsenal in Concord Basically Empty
Brief skirmish with minutemen at North Bridge
British began march back to Boston to avoid further conflict, despite no reinforcements
3,000 to 4,000 minutemen had assembled
Hid behind stone walls and trees, fired at British
British fell by the dozens, only saved when reinforcements came from Boston
British went back to Boston
Colonists surrounded Boston, held the city under siege.
Reconvened May 10, 1775
Some delegates were militant radicals Colonies declare independence Establish a Continental Army and
name a general to lead them Ie. John Adams
Others were more moderate Ie. John Dickinson wanted
peaceful reconciliation
Problem remains: militia still camped around Boston
Sent July 8th, Discussion began in May Colonies state loyalty to the King Ask for His help in ending the conflict King George III proclaims the Colonies in a state of
rebellion and hires mercenaries, also blockades the American coast.
Adopt Mass. Militia as Continental Army Appointed. G.W. as Commander
Not a military genius (he lost more battles than he won) Trusted by his soldiers Refused to be paid, despite records of expenses over
$100,000 Good political choice: Virginian, wealthy, aristocratic,
above reproach
Began printing paper $ to pay soldiers
Organized a committee to deal with foreign nations.
June 17, 1775
See Handout for more info
Vocab for Packet
Sloop of War – small sailing warshipLively – British ship consideredRedoubt – small usually temporary
enclosed defensive barrier
June 17, 1775
See Handout for more info
Effects:
King George III proclaimed colonies in rebellion and hired Hessians to crush rebels
Realization more than just a conflict over British Troops in Boston
Published Pamphlet by Thomas Paine Appealed to natural law ("an island should not rule a continent") Reconciliation not an option King George was brutish and undeserving of colonials' respect America had a moral obligation to the world to be independent
and democratic (a REPUBLIC!)
Effects:Effects: Sold more than 120,000 copies.Sold more than 120,000 copies. Firmly changed the minds of Firmly changed the minds of
many Americans on the fence many Americans on the fence over the “Independence over the “Independence question.”question.”
Who did it APPEAL to? People who the system did not work for (lower class) New England who already had a taste of republicanism in
town meetings, etc.
Who did it NOT APPEAL to? Aristocrats republicanism threatened their way of life,
social hierarchy
Congress declared independence July 2, 1776. Jefferson headed the committee to write it Arguments based on John Locke's contract theory of
government: All people have natural rights ("Life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness") When a gov. abuses rights, people have a right to "alter or abolish"
it King George has acted tyrannically. Long list of wrongs done by
King to colonists. The colonies are independent.
Declaration gave a clear position for rebellious colonists, forcing others to choose rebellion or declare as Loyalists.
Public celebrations and demonstrations rang out through the colonies among the patriots
The Women’s reaction Abigail Adams took care of her children and the business
of the farm Supported independence, championed women’s rights “…Remember the ladies, and be more generous and
favorable to the them than your ancestors”.
Loyal Subjects to the King
Colonial Americans opposed to independence
Also known as Tories affiliated with the political party of Lord North
Attacks made on loyalists in the colonies
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