A Call to Arms Chapter 5 Lesson 3

  • Slides: 20
Download presentation
A Call to Arms Chapter 5, Lesson 3

A Call to Arms Chapter 5, Lesson 3

The Continental Congress ► Colonial leaders understood that it would take more than boycotting

The Continental Congress ► Colonial leaders understood that it would take more than boycotting to attain their liberty from British Policies. ► In September 1774, 55 men met at Philadelphia. § They were sent as delegates from all the colonies except Georgia. § The purpose of this meeting was to establish a political body to represent American interests and challenge British control. § They called the new organization the Continental Congress.

Delegates to the Congress ► Major political leaders from all the colonies attended the

Delegates to the Congress ► Major political leaders from all the colonies attended the Congress. § Samuel Adams (Sons of Liberty) and his younger cousin John Adams (successful lawyer) attended on behalf of Massachusetts. § New York sent John Jay. § Richard Henry Lee and Patrick Henry represented Virginia, as well as George Washington.

Decisions of the Congress ► Though they were barely united in their views, they

Decisions of the Congress ► Though they were barely united in their views, they understood they must work together. § They first drafted a statement of grievances calling for the repeal of 13 acts passed since 1763 declaring they violated colonial rights. § Their rights were based on the “laws of nature, the principles of the English Constitution, and the several charters” of the colonies. ► They also voted to boycott all British goods and trade. § No British goods were to be brought in and consumed in the colonies, and no colonial goods were to get to Britain.

Decisions of the Congress ► One of the major decisions were to endorse the

Decisions of the Congress ► One of the major decisions were to endorse the Suffolk Resolves. § These resolutions were created by Bostonians and others who lived in Suffolk county, Massachusetts. ► It called for the people of Suffolk County to arm themselves against the British. § The people responded by forming militias (group of citizens soldiers) ► These actions made people wonder if war was coming. § They’d have their answer in the following spring.

The First Battles ► It was expected by colonists that if fighting were to

The First Battles ► It was expected by colonists that if fighting were to break out it would begin in New England. § Militia companies frequently held training sessions, made bullets, and stockpiled rifles and muskets. ► Some companies were known as minutemen, boasting they would be ready within a minute’s notice to fight. ► In the winter of 1774 -1775, a British officer took note in his diary that: “The people are evidently making every preparation for resistance. They are taking every means to provide themselves with arms. ”

Britain Sends Troops ► The British also prepared for conflict. § King George III

Britain Sends Troops ► The British also prepared for conflict. § King George III announced to parliament that they colonies were “in a state of rebellion” and said that “blows must decide” who would control America. ► By April of 1775, British general Sir Thomas Gage had several thousand soldiers under his command in and around Boston. § And many more were on the way! ► Gage had orders to take away the weapons of the Massachusetts militia and arrest the leaders.

Britain Sends Troops ► Gage learned that the militia was storing ammunition at Concord.

Britain Sends Troops ► Gage learned that the militia was storing ammunition at Concord. § Located 20 miles northwest of Boston. § Ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith to march “to concord, where you will seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition you find. ”

Alerting the Colonists ► On the night of April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren

Alerting the Colonists ► On the night of April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren walked the streets of Boston, looking for unusual activity. § He noticed a regiment forming ranks in Boston Common and then begin marching out of the city. ► He set out to warn Paul Revere and William Dawes, leading members of the Sons of Liberty. § They rode to Lexington, a town east of Concord, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming.

Alerting the Colonists ► Revere galloped off across shouting, “The regulars are out!” to

Alerting the Colonists ► Revere galloped off across shouting, “The regulars are out!” to the people and houses he passed along the way. § When he arrives at Lexington, he warns Adams and Hancock of the news. § Adams was excited saying, “What a glorious morning this is! § Adams was ready to fight for American Independence.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► At day break the Redcoats were at Lexington.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► At day break the Redcoats were at Lexington. § When they reached the center of the town they found 70 minutemen who had been alerted by Revere and Dawes. § These men were led by Captain John Parker positioned in the town common with muskets ready. ► They were told to “throw down” their arms. ► A shot was fired and soon both had an exchange.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► When the firing was over eight minutemen were

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► When the firing was over eight minutemen were dead. ► The British continued their march to Concord. § Upon arriving, they discovered most of the gunpowder was gone and destroyed whatever was left behind. ► At Concords North Bridge the minutemen waited for them. ► Messengers on horse back provided information on the Redcoats movements.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► Along the road from Concord to Boston farmers,

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► Along the road from Concord to Boston farmers, blacksmiths, saddle makers, and clerks hid behind trees, rocks, and stone fences. § The militia fires shots at the Redcoats as they came by. § One Redcoat even wrote that “These fellows wee generally good marksmen, and many of them used long guns made for duck hunting. ► By the time they reached their destination the Redcoats were had 174 wounded and 73 dead.

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► Looking back, Ralph Waldo Emerson was a poet

Fighting at Lexington and Concord ► Looking back, Ralph Waldo Emerson was a poet who wrote “The Concord Hymn” about the fighting that had happened at Lexington and Concord. § He wrote that it was the “shot heard ‘round the world. ” ► It was clear that the battle for Americans independence had begun.

More Military Action ► After the events at Lexington and Concord, Benedict Arnold, a

More Military Action ► After the events at Lexington and Concord, Benedict Arnold, a captain for the Connecticut militia, was given permission to prepare 400 men. § These men were to seize Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. § It wasn’t exactly the most strategic point but it had a lot of military supplies. ► Arnold found out that Ethan Allen was mounting an expedition to do the same, and so he joined forced with them

More Military Action ► Ethan Allen’s group was known as the Green Mountain Boys,

More Military Action ► Ethan Allen’s group was known as the Green Mountain Boys, and together with Benedict Arnold caught the British by surprise. ► The garrison surrendered on May 10, 1775. ► Arnold later intended to surrender the key fort of West Point to the British and led raids against Americans in Virginia and Connecticut. ► He became a general of the British army.

► After Building Forces the battle of Lexington and Concord, various committees of correspondence

► After Building Forces the battle of Lexington and Concord, various committees of correspondence sent out calls for volunteers to join the militias. § Soon the forces around Boston were 20, 000 strong. ► After this, for several weeks neither the British nor the Colonists budged. § They were each waiting nervously to see who would make the next move.

► On The Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775, about 1, 200 militiamen

► On The Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775, about 1, 200 militiamen under the command of Colonel Prescott set up fortifications at Bunker Hill and nearby at Breed’s Hill. § His men were low on ammunition and so he told them “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” § They were able to force the British to retreat and they attempted two more times. § They eventually ran out of gunpowder and were forced to withdraw.

► The Battle of Bunker Hill British ended up winning the Battle of Bunker

► The Battle of Bunker Hill British ended up winning the Battle of Bunker Hill. § However, they suffered some pretty severe losses. § 1, 000 men were either dead or wounded. ► One British officer wrote in his diary, “A dear bought victory, another such would have ruined us. ” § The British now realized defeating the Americans on the battlefield would no be quick or easy.