The American Revolution Begins The First Continental Congress

The American Revolution Begins!

The First Continental Congress • September 1774 –Met in Philadelphia – 56 Delegates • Including John Adams and Samuel Adams • Georgia – Only colony not to send a representative –Debated the best way to respond to the crisis taking place in Boston

Outcomes of the First Continental Congress –Delegates recommended that colonists continue to boycott British goods. –Assembled a list of 10 resolutions to present to the king. • Declaration of Rights and Freedoms that the delegates believed colonists should possess –“Life, Liberty, and Property. ” –Agreed to meet again in May 1775 if the King did not agree.

Leading to Rebellion • Tensions between the American colonists and the British soldiers got worse. • British General Thomas Gage learned that two Patriot leaders, John Hancock and Samuel Adams were hiding out in the town of Lexington. • He also learned that the Americans had been stockpiling weapons and military equipment in the town of Concord. • He ordered approximately 800 British soldiers to arrest Hancock and Adams and seize the weapons.

“One if by Land, Two if by Sea!” • Paul Revere found out about General Gage’s plans and decided he needed to do something to help the Patriots. He would warn Hancock and Adams and the people of Concord. • He arranged for friends to give a secret signal to let him know how the British troops would leave Boston. • They were to put one lantern in the steeple of Old North Church if the British would be coming by land two lanterns if they would be moving by sea. • Finally Paul saw the signal… –two lanterns!

The Midnight Ride • On the other side of the river, Paul Revere and another patriot, William Dawes, rode in different directions to try and warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that the British were on their way to arrest them. • They also wanted to tell the colonists in the towns of Lexington and Concord that the British soldiers were on their way – “The British are coming!” • The two men raced on their horses through the countryside, warning minutemen that the Regulars were coming!

Lexington • April 19, 1775 • Fewer than 70 • Minutemen gathered at the Village Green • “Don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to ha ve a war, let it begin h ere!” Captain John Parker – Suddenly a shot rang out.

“The Shot Heard ‘Round The World!” • No one knows who fired the “shot heard round the world”— but once the soldiers heard it, the fight began. • The Battle ended in 8 Minutes –Colonists had suffered • 8 Dead • 10 Wounded

On to Concord • British moved to Concord to find weapons – Colonists had already removed them. • The British decided to set fire to the town buildings. • As the British retreated, Colonists used Guerilla Warfare, hiding behind trees and buildings. – Bright Red Coats were an easy target • British Reach Boston – 250 British casualties – Fewer than 100 Colonial casualties

Paper Slides Instructions • Create a comic book in the form of “paper slides” to demonstrate knowledge of: – The First Continental Congress – Paul Revere’s ride – Battles Lexington and Concord • Slides must include the following: – General background information – A comic strip theme (hero, villain, “story”) – Creative illustrations – Modern dialogue – Minimum of 7 slides • After you have finished creating your slides, record a video (using your phone) of your comic book (flipping through the slides, reading the text) and email it to cford@wcpss. net