Chapter 5 Section 3

A Call to Arms

The Continental Congress

• September 1774• Delegates from 12 Colonies - Which colony is missing?- Famous members: Sam & John Adams, Patrick Henry, George

Washington

The Adams (Sam and John)

What did Sam Adams do that was so important?

Can anyone guess what John Adams did that would be surprising? (Hint: it involves the Boston Massacre)

Why do you think he might have done that?

<- Sam

John ->

Patrick Henry“The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders, are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American.”

What does this quote mean?

In what ways was it significant then?

To what extent is it significant today?

George Washington

What has Washington done by this point? (We’ve discussed him once already)

What does his being here foreshadow?

The Continental Congress

• Decisions of the Congress:- Repeal the 13 Acts of Parliament (Believed they

violated the laws of nature, the principles of the English constitution, and the several charters of the colonies)

- Boycotted British Trade- Suffolk Resolves: Called upon people to form

militias

And so it begins…

• Minutemen – Who are they? Why?• By April 1775 there were already several thousand

British soldiers around Boston- Ordered to take away colonists’ weapons- Learn of stores of weapons and ammo at Concord- British troops gather April 18, 1775 to seize supplies

And so it begins…Joseph Warren

Paul Revere

William Dawes

April 18, 1775: Joseph Warren notices British troop movements, goes to warn Paul Revere and William Dawes

The Famous “Midnight Ride” – The regulars are coming!

Samuel Adams: “What a glorious morning this is!”

The Shot Heard Round the World• The warnings allowed minutemen to gather at

Lexington where they encountered the British• A shot was fired! Who done it?- Regardless, 8 minutemen were killed• British march on to Concord, but find most of the

supplies had been moved• On their way home the British were constantly

harassed by colonial troops who hid and fired potshots

• By the time the British returned to Boston there were 174 wounded and 73 dead

Boston to Concord

The Shot Heard Round The World!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ikO6LMxF4

Early Battles• Benedict Arnold raised a force to capture Fort

Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain• Joined by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys• Surprised the fort and captured it on May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold

Bunker Hill• 20,000 Colonial Soldiers gather outside Boston• June 16, 1775: 1200 militamen under Colonel William Prescott set up

fortifications at Bunker and Breed’s Hill across from Boston• June 17, 1775: British soldiers charge Breed’s Hill to retake the area• Prescott orders his troops not to fire until they see the whites of their

eyes• British are forced to retreat several times before the Americans run

out of ammunition• British casualties over 1000 while American casualties were about

450• What is a casualty?• Who won the battle?

Henry Clinton

“A few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in America.”

What does this quote mean?

What does this quote show about the British and the Americans?

The First Civil War?

• American colonists were faced with a hard choice: Join the revolution or stay loyal to England

• Why would some remain faithful to Britain and become known as Loyalists?

• Why would some rebel against Britain and become known as Patriots?

• How is this the “First Civil War”?

The First Civil War?Loyalists Patriots

Did not see unfair taxes as good reason to rebel

Lived in isolation and were not part of “waves of discontment”

Thought British would easily win war and wanted to stay on winning side

Believed British rule was unfair and unjust

Wanted right to self govern

Determined to overthrow the British no matter the cost