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In September 1774, the Continental Congress convenes with 56 delegates from all colonies except Georgia, led by major political figures like John Adams, Sam Adams, and George Washington. Decisions made include drafting a statement of grievances, boycotting British goods, and forming militias in response to British actions. The Congress leads to military action with battles like Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and the building of colonial forces. As tensions rise, colonists must choose sides as Loyalists favor British rule while Patriots are prepared to fight for independence.
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Chapter 5; Section 3 A Call to Arms
Continental Congress • September 1774 • 56 Delegates from all colonies except Georgia • Called Continental Congress
Delegates to the Congress Major Political Leaders: • John Adams and Sam Adams from Massachusetts • John Jay from New York • Richard Henry Lee and Patrick Henry from Virginia • George Washington from Virginia
Decisions of the Congress • Not very united but tried to work together for benefit of common interest • Drafted statement of grievances calling for repeal of 13 acts of Parliament passed since 1763 (Violated natural rights of British citizens) • Boycott ALL British goods • Form militias to oppose Britain (Does this mean war?)
Britain Sends Troops • George the III declares the New England Colonies “in a state of rebellion” • Britain sends Thomas Gage and 3000 soldiers to Boston • Soldiers take away weapons of citizens • Gage suspects stockpile of weapons in Concord….Really?
First Battles • Where would you expect fighting against the British to begin? • Massachusetts militia stockpiled weapons, drilled soldiers often….why? • Minutemen-ready to fight on a minute notice
Alerting the Colonist • Paul Revere alerted of British movement • Rode alerting colonist of British movement to Concord http://www.earlyamerica.com/paul_revere.htm
“shot heard ‘round the world” • British meet Minutemen at Lexington • Shots fired • 8 minutemen dead
Concord • British find no weapons but destroyed building • Were there the weapons? What weapons? • March back to Boston only meet Minutemen again • Battle occurs: British has 273 casualties
More Military Action • Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen • Captured Ft. Ticonderoga • Oh-Oh!
Bunker Hill • 1,200 militiamen set up on Breed’s hill, across from Boston • British attack the fortified militiamen but fail the first two times • Third time: British conquer the hill • Over 1000 British “Redcoats” were killed • About 500 Militiamen killed
Building Forces • Colonist build militias 20,000 men strong and they surround Boston • British soldiers in Boston are nervous
Choosing Sides • Loyalist: Chose to stay with Britain • Patriots: Determined to fight Britain