The American Revolution

1. The American
RevolutionBy: Gabriel Pacchiele

2. First Continental Congress
is Formed-September 5,
1774More than simple boycotts were needed in order to gain liberty from Britain.
Thus, 55 men were sent as delegates from all the colonies, (except Georgia), in order to
establish a political body representing the American interests dealing with British control.
This was called the Continental Congress. The Continental Congress drafted the statement
calling for the repeal of 13 acts passed by parliament since 1763 and voted to boycott all
British goods and trade. Furthermore, the Congress made the major decision of endorsing
the Suffolk Resolves.

3. Militias Develops-1774-
1775The Continental Congress voted to endorse the Suffolk Resolves. These
resolutions called upon the people of Suffolk County to arm themselves against the British
in case quarrel broke loose. The people thus responded by forming militias. It was
expected that the first location where war or battle could originate between the colonists
and the British, then it would be in New England. So militia companies in Massachusetts
held frequent training sessions, made bullets, and stockpiled rifles and muskets. These
actions made further advancements in the development of militias, Take for instance the
company that referred itself as the "Minutemen".

4. Battles of Lexington and
Concord- April 19, 1775King George announced to parliament that the New England Colonies were in a
"state of rebellion", and that "blows must decide who would control America. British troops
were then deployed into the colonies and led by Sir Thomas Gage. Gage and several
thousand men had orders to take away colonial weapons and arrest the militia leaders. At
dawn the Regulars approached Lexington. Being warned by Revere and Dawes, 70
minutemen stood waiting for the British Soldiers. Shots were fired and caused for the
death of 8 minutemen and a British victory. However, in order to accomplish their mission
the redcoats had to march to Concord, where all ammunition and weaponry was held. As
the redcoats arrived, they found that most of the storage had already been moved. After
destroying the remains of any weapons or ammunition, the redcoats were ambushed by
minutemen already waiting for them and strategically positioned. This time around the
minutemen forced the British Soldiers to retreat, leaving 174 wounded and 73 dead, along
with an American victory.

5. The Battle of Bunker Hill-
June 16, 1775Under the command of Colonel William Prescott, 1200 militiamen set up a base
by Bunker Hill, near Breed's Hill. The British made the decision to drive the Americans out
of their strategically placed fortifications overlooking the city. The redcoats charged up
Breed's Hill, and with low ammunition the militiamen fought back. Prescott exclaimed,
"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes," the American soldiers opened fire and
forced the British to retreat under malevolent fire. Despite the American efficiency, due to
the lack of gunpowder, the British overran the American resistance and forced them to
retreat. It was a victory for Britain, however the price was paid with over 1000 dead or
wounded British soldiers.

6. Second Continental
Congress Meets- May 10,
1775The Second Continental Congress met for the one and most important event in
American history, the Declaration of Independence. The Second Continental Congress was
met by some of the greatest political leaders in America, including John and Samuel
Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington. Also in the Second
Continental Congress, was Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson. The
delegates met in order to form a document declaring America's independence from Britain.

7. Continental Army is
Formed- June 14, 1775
The Second Continental Congress began to govern the colonies. Along
with the authorization of other things such as printed currency, the Congress
made the defining choice to create the Continental Army. This was a more
organized way to combat British troops than militias ever were. Now soldiers
would receive adequate and equal training allowing the formation of unison in
the battlefield. Under John Adams' recommendation, George Washington was
unanimously chosen to be the army's commander.

8. The Olive Branch Petition-
July 5, 1775
Prior to the war, the delegates of the Second Continental Congress still
believed in peace. In the July of 1775, the Congress sent a petition to King
George called the "Olive Branch Petition". This petition was a reassurance of the
colonists desire for peace, asking that the King protect the colonists' rights,
which were under oppression by Parliament. King George not only completely
and utterly refused the request, but he responded by hiring 30,000 German
troops to fight against the colonists.

9. Thomas Paine Publishes
Common Sense- January
9, 1776
During late 1775 and early 1776, the avoidance of complete all-out-war
with Britain was still fairly supported. Thomas Paine decided to boost the ideal of
obsolete independence for Great Britain, thus he published a pamphlet called
"Common Sense". Declaring that it was simply common sense to disorient from
any path that followed the "royal brute", King George III, Paine called from
complete independence from Great Britain. Paine inspired thousands of colonists
and by stating that it was not simple quibbling over taxes, it was a quarrel for
freedom.

10. Colonies Declare
independence- July 4,
1776
During the Second Continental Meeting, the central issue of whether or
not the colonies should declare independence was greatly debated. A resolution
was proposed that all political connections with Great Britain should be
dissolved. The delegates debated on the issue and by July 2, Congress had
voted and decided that independence must be declared. Thomas Jefferson was
then called upon to write the Declaration of Independence. Once the draft was
written the document was revised and at last the Declaration of Independence
was approved on July 4, 1776. The document consisted of four major parts, the
preamble, the declaration of natural rights, and the resolution of independence.
John Hancock, the president of the Second Continental Congress, signs his name