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