Fighting Fighting Begins Begins in the in the NorthNorth

Lexington and Concord

News spreads quickly

10,000-15,000 militia rushed towards Boston

Second Continental Congress Convenes in

Philadelphia on June 10, 1775.

Did not convene with the idea that they were going to split with England

The fighting Spread

Olive Branch Petition A petition sent to

King George III. Declared loyalty to the King

Asked him to repeal Intolerable Acts

King George Reacts He thinks the colonists want to create independent empire

Orders 20,000 more troops to region

http://www.history.com/topics/capture-of-fort-ticonderoga/videos#american-revolution

Green Mountain Boys

Leader Ethan Allen…(yes the furniture guy) really a blacksmith…led a group from Vermont

Ethan Allen

LEADS AN ATTACK ON FORT TICONDEROGA

Fort Ticonderoga Green Mountain Boys

overpower guard on duty

They rush to room where British commander is and Ethan Allen says “Come out you old rat!”

When asked by whose authority, he answers

“In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!”

What they win…Supply of cannons and gunpowder

Control of a key route into Canada.

Continental Army Forms Congress forms

Continental Army in June

Washington becomes commander

He takes off for Boston

P’s Advantages Many owned rifles and were good shots

Good commanders like George Washington

Determined to fight to defend their homes and property

British Advantages

Highly trained, experienced troops

Best Navy in the World

Many colonists supported British

P’s Disadvantages Colonists poorly organized and untrained

Few Cannons and little gunpowder

No navy Few colonists willing to leave home militias and join Continental Army.

British Disadvantages

Armies 3,000 miles from home

News and supplies took months to come from Britain

British soldiers risked attacks outside cities.

Loyalists Colonists who remained loyal to Britain

Included wealthy merchants and former officials of Royal government

Loyalists Some farmers and craftworkers also loyalists.

Mostly from middle and South

Loyalists Tarred and feathered by P’s

Many fled to Canada, England, or to British controlled cities

When they fled, they would lose their homes, farms, and stores

Fight for Fight for BostonBoston

Battle of Battle of Bunker HillBunker Hill

Boston During the first year, 6000 British troops were located in Boston.

Colonists surrounded the city, wouldn’t let them out

Battle of Bunker Hill On June 16, 1775,

Colonel William Prescott led 1,200 minutemen up Bunker Hill across river from Boston.

Reason: They could fire at British ships in Boston Harbor.

Breed’s Hill Prescott notices nearby Breed’s Hill is better so he sends troops there

British General William Howe sees the Americans at sunrise.

Breed’s Hill He ferries 2400 redcoats to attack rebels positions.

As British approached, Patriots held their fire

When they finally fired, the British were first to retreat.

British Win The strategy of the Americans, because they were low on gun powder was not to fire “until you see the whites of their eyes.”

After the third try, the British take Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill.

Their high price for victory

More than 1000 Redcoats were dead or wounded.

Americans numbered 400 dead or wounded.

RESULTS Battle of Bunker Hill first major battle of Revolutionary War

American proved they could fight bravely.

British proved they would not be defeated easily.

George Washington Arrives Arrives in Boston a few

weeks after battle of Bunker Hill.

He quickly turns raw recruits into an army.

Soldiers from different colonies mistrusted one another but Washington won loyalty of his troops

Cannons Arrive In January 1776, the cannons arrive from Fort Ticonderoga.

Washington places them in plain site overlooking Boston Harbor.

British Depart General Howe moves his troops and 1,000 loyalists from Boston to Halifax, Canada in March.

BLOCKADE King George III ordered a blockade of all colonial ports.

The King uses mercenaries, or troops for hire, from Germany to help fight the colonists. They are called Hessians