The First Continental Congress met in 1774 to respond to the crisis in Boston and agreed to continue boycotting British goods while preparing militias. In April 1775, British troops marched to Concord to seize weapons from the colonists, sparking the Battles of Lexington and Concord where the "shot heard round the world" was fired, beginning the Revolutionary War. The Second Continental Congress then met and appointed George Washington as commander of the newly formed Continental Army to defend the colonies.

1. U.S. History Chapter 7: The American Revolution Section 1: The Revolution Begins

2. The First Continental Congress Sept 1774: First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia How to respond to crisis in Boston

3. The First Continental Congress First Continental Congress’ Response : Continue boycott Prepare militia incase violence breaks out Meet again May 1775

4. The “Shot Heard round the World” Minutemen —members of the Boston militia

5. The “Shot Heard round the World” April 1775: Gage decides to seize minutemen weapons at Concord Sons of Liberty learn of plan General Thomas Gage

6. The “Shot Heard round the World” Old North Church Steeple

7. The “Shot Heard round the World” Paul Revere and William Dawes rode through the countryside warning of the British march on Concord Paul Revere William Dawes

11. The “Shot Heard round the World” Morning, April 19: 70 minutemen gathered at Lexington meet much larger British force “ Do not fire unless fired upon…”

14. The “Shot Heard round the World” British march on Concord Weapons already removed Set fire to buildings, attacked by minutemen

16. The “Shot Heard round the World” Begin retreat back to Boston Redcoats —nickname for British soldiers, whose uniforms made them ideal targets

17. The “Shot Heard round the World” British: 250+ casualties Americans: Less than 100 casualties

18. The “Shot Heard round the World” Colonists outraged and shocked “ The Bloody Butchery of the British Troops”

19. The Second Continental Congress May 1775: delegates assemble at Philadelphia Olive Branch Petition Organize and funded an army to defend the colonies

20. The Second Continental Congress Appointed George Washington commander of the Continental Army

22. “ But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every Gentleman in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the Command I am honored with.” --George Washington

23. Early Battles May 10, 1775: Colonists strike Ft. Ticonderoga

24. Early Battles Ethan Allen Benedict Arnold

26. Early Battles Minutemen held Boston under siege

27. Early Battles British troops plant to takeover Charlestown Patriot soldiers warned Build defenses on Bunker Hill & Breed’s Hill

29. Early Battles Israel Putnam “ Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

30. Early Battles The attack: 1 st wave: British repelled 2 nd wave: British repelled 3 rd wave: Patriots overrun

31. Early Battles Outcome: British: 1,000 casualties Americans: 400 casualties

32. Early Battles "A few more such victories would have surely put an end to British dominion in America.“ --General Henry Clinton

33. Early Battles Washington arrives to take command November 1775: Henry Knox sent to retrieve cannons from Ft. Ticonderoga Henry Knox

34. Early Battles March 1776: Cannons placed on Dorchester Heights

35. Early Battles March 7, 1776: Howe orders a retreat to Halifax

36. First Continental Congress Second Continental Congress