THE ROAD TO LEXINGTON AND CONCORD Chapter 6

THE ROAD TO LEXINGTON AND CONCORD Chapter 6, Section 3

The Intolerable Acts Britain pretty upset about Boston Tea Party! § King George III: Hmm…do we let them go or make them obey? § Obey of course! 1774: Coercive Acts – designed to punish colonies § Colonists thought they were really bad: § Called them the Intolerable Acts

The Intolerable Acts (cont’d) Intolerable Acts: 1. Close Boston harbor until tea paid for 2. Ban committees of correspondence 3. Colonists must house troops when necessary 4. British officers can only be put on trial (for crimes) in Britain 5. British governor put in charge of Massachusetts

First Continental Congress September, 1774 § Delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) meet in Philadelphia § End all trade with Britain (until they repealed the Intolerable Acts) § Each colony would begin to train troops (just in case) § Georgia agreed as well (even though they weren’t there)

1) What British action caused the first violence in the growing conflict between Britain and America? 2) How might the Intolerable Acts be seen as a reaction as well as an action?

Between War and Peace Parliament’s reaction: Give up? NO WAY! § Increase restrictions on colonial trade § Brought in more troops Colonists Reaction: § Train more troops § Plan for show of force § Believe any military conflict would be short

The Midnight Ride § Spies everywhere! § Both sides had spy networks providing information § Patriots vs. British and Loyalists § British receive news of militia weapons stored in Concord, MA § Decide to send troops to capture or destroy weapons § British troops sent to arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington Hanging of Nathan Hale 1775

The Midnight Ride (cont’d) § Sons of Liberty were prepared § Old North Church § “One if by land, two if by sea” § Hung lanterns to signal British movements § Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott, spread the news of British troop movement.

Lexington and Concord • April 19 th, 1775 - British troops reach Lexington, MA • Minuteman: One-third of militia trained to act at a minutes notice. • British go to disarm militiamen at Lexington • Militia refuses • “Shot heard ‘round the world” • Colonists retreat

Lexington and Concord (cont’d) • British troops march to Concord, MA • • Forced to retreat by Colonial Militia British forces are almost wiped out. • Lexington and Concord are the first two battles of the American Revolution. The Revolutionary War has officially begun. Will the Redcoats win of will the rebel colonists finally have independence? …Stay tuned to find out!