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Home , 1770s, Dorchester Heights

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SECTION 1 The Revolution

TEKS 1A, 4B, 4C, 10A Begins

What You Will Learn… If YOU were there... Main Ideas You are a member of the British in the . Some 1. The First Continental Con- members say that the Americans are defying the king. Others point gress demanded certain rights from . out that the colonists are British citizens who have certain rights. 2. Armed conflict between Now the king must decide to punish the rebellious colonists or British soldiers and colonists broke out with the “shot listen to their complaints. heard ‘round the world.” 3. The Second Continental Con- What advice would you give the king? gress created the to fight the British. 4. In two early battles, the army lost control of but Building Background Taxes and harsh new laws led some then regained it. colonists to protest against the British. In some places, the protests turned violent. The British government refused to listen, ignoring the The Big Idea colonists’ demands for more rights. That set the stage for war. The tensions between the colonies and Great Britain led to armed conflict in 1775. First To many colonists the closing of Boston Harbor was the final insult Key Terms and People in a long list of abuses. In response to the mounting crisis, all the First Continental Congress, p. 112 colonies except sent representatives to a meeting in Octo- Patriots, p. 113 ber 1774. This meeting, known as the First Continental Congress, minutemen, p. 114 was a gathering of colonial leaders who were deeply troubled about Redcoats, p. 114 the relationship between Great Britain and its colonies in America. Second Continental Congress, p. 114 At Carpenters’ Hall in , the leaders remained locked in Continental Army, p. 114 weeks of intense debate. and others believed that vio- , p. 114 lence was unavoidable. On the other hand, delegates from Pennsyl- , p. 115 vania and had strict orders to seek peace. Wisely, the delegates compromised. They encouraged colonists to continue boycotting British goods but told colonial to prepare for war. Meanwhile, they drafted the Declaration of Rights, Use the graphic organizer online a list of 10 resolutions to be presented to King George III. Included to take notes on the events that was the colonists’ right to “life, liberty, and property.” occurred in the early days of the . The First Continental Congress did not seek a separation from Britain. Its goal was to state the colonists’ concerns and ask the king to correct the problems. But before they left Philadelphia, the del- egates agreed to meet in 1775 if the king refused their petition. Patrick Henry returned from the Congress and reported to his fellow Virginians. To encourage them to support the Patriot cause,

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Battle of Lexington The Battle of Lexington was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The map shows the route that used to warn the minutemen of Lexington. He was captured before he could get to Concord. The photo below shows one of the actual candle lanterns used to signal Revere.

Paul Revere’s Ride

Battle at Lexington

P A U L REVERE'S RIDE Battle at Concord Revere North captured Church

0 2 4 Miles

0 2 4 Kilometers Boston Boston Harbor

Henry voiced these famous words: “Shot Heard ‘round “They tell us, Sir, that we are weak; unable to the World” cope with so formidable an adversary. But when The Continental Congress planned to will we be stronger? Gentlemen cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. I know not what meet again in 1775. Before it could, the course others may take; but as for me, give me situation in the colonies had changed— liberty orah06se_c03leg003da.ai give me death.” for the worse. —PatrickLocate Henry,It - Boston-Concord quoted in Eyewitnesses and Others ah06se_c03map003da.ai HRW Middle School American History The Ride of Paul Revere In time many colonists came to agree Locate It - Boston-Concord

British military leaders in the coloniesHRW grew Middle School American History with Henry.Final proof: They 08/26/04 became known as uneasy when local militias seemed to be Patriots —colonistsApproved 11/04/04 who chose to fight for preparing for action. The governor ofF3 -Mas 09/30/04--10/25/04- independence from Great Britain. Approved 11/04/04 sachusetts, , learned that a Reading Check Identifying Cause and Effect stockpile of weapons was stored in Concord, Why did the delegates attend the First Continental about 20 miles from Boston. In April 1775 he Congress? What were the results? decided to seize the supplies.

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Academic Gage thought he had kept his plan a few buildings. In reaction the minutemen Vocabulary secret. However, Boston was full of spies charged forward. reaction for the Patriot cause. They noticed the Brit- For the skilled colonial marksmen of response ish were preparing for action and quickly Concord, the British soldiers made an easy informed the Patriots. Unsure of how the target. They were wearing the British military British would strike, Sons of Liberty member uniform with its bright red jacket. For some Paul Revere enlisted the aid of Robert New- time the colonists had called the British sol- man. Newman was to climb into the steeple diers Redcoats because of these jackets. The of the Old North Church and watch for Brit- British were forced to retreat to Boston, suffer- ish soldiers. If they advanced across land, ing many casualties along the way. Newman would display one lantern from the steeple. If they rowed across the Charles Reading Check Drawing Inferences Why did River, Newman would display two lanterns. the Patriots need several riders? Why did they take When Revere and fellow Patriot William different routes? Dawes saw two lights shine, they set off on horseback. Using two different routes out of Second Continental Boston, they sounded the alert. As the rid- ers advanced, drums and church bells called Congress out the local , or minutemen —who King George III had refused to address the got their name because they were ready to concerns listed in the Declaration of Rights. fight at a minute’s notice. Another rider, a In May 1775, delegates from 12 colonies free African American named Wentworth met again in Philadelphia for the Second

Cheswell, rode north to New Hampshire and Continental Congress . This second group Maine to gather reinforcements. of delegates from the colonies was still far from unified, but represented the first Battles at Lexington and Concord attempt at a Republican government in the At dawn on , the British troops colonies. arrived at the town of Lexington, near Con- Some of the delegates called for a war, cord and about 15 miles from Boston, where others for peace. Once again they compro- 70 armed minutemen waited. Patriot cap- mised. Although the Congress did not open- tain yelled to his troops, “Don’t ly revolt, delegates showed their growing fire unless fired upon.” Suddenly a shot rang dissatisfaction. They sent word to colonial out. To this day, no one knows who fired authorities asking for new state . this “shot heard ‘round the world.” States set up conventions to write them. They The battle at Lexington ended in min- also authorized the militia to utes with only a few volleys fired. When the become the Continental Army. This force smoke cleared, 8 of the badly outnumbered would soon include soldiers from all colo- minutemen lay dead, and 10 were wounded. nies and would carry out the fight against The British, with only one soldier wounded, Britain. Congress named a Virginian, George marched on to Concord. Washington, to command the army. Although Revere had been arrested, the As Washington prepared for war, the citizens of Concord were warned by another Congress pursued peace. On 5 the del- rider, Samuel Prescott. Most of the weapons egates signed the as in Concord had already been hidden, but a final attempt to restore harmony. King the few that were left were now concealed. George refused to read it. Instead, he looked Some of the British troops, frustrated because for new ways to punish the colonies. the stockpile had disappeared, set fire to a

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Reading Check Summarizing What did the had quietly dug in at Breed’s Hill, a point Second Continental Congress accomplish? ­overlooking north Boston. The Redcoats would have to cross Boston Harbor and fight Early Battles their way uphill. As the British force of 2,400 advanced, While the Congress discussed peace, the Mas- 1,600 militia members waited. Low on gun- sachusetts militia began to fight. Boston was powder, the commander ordered his troops a key city in the early days of the war. Both not to fire “until you see the whites of their Patriots and the British fought to hold it. eyes.” As they climbed the exposed hillside with their heavy packs, the British soldiers Bunker Hill were cut down. Twice they retreated. Step- Desperate for supplies, leaders in Boston sent ping over the dead and wounded, they and a force of 400 men to returned for a third try. The colonists were New York State. Their objective was to attack now out of ammunition, and eventually the British at . In May 1775, they had to retreat. Arnold captured the fort and its large supply This famous conflict is now known as the

of weapons. Battle of Bunker Hill , although it was ­actually Meanwhile, the poorly supplied Patriots launched from Breed’s Hill. While the Patri- kept the British pinned down inside Bos- ots lost, they proved they could take on ton. Although British leaders were trying the Redcoats. For the British, the battle was to form a battle plan, they awoke on a tragic victory. To win, they had sacrificed 17 to a stunning sight. The colonial forces about double the number of Patriot soldiers.

Battles for Boston, 1775–76 The colonists were forced to retreat from Breed’s Hill, but Boston

N the British suffered heavy THIRTEEN losses during the battle. COLONIES W E Bunker S Hill ATLANTIC OCEAN Breed’s Hill HOWE JUNE 1775

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e r Boston 42˚22'N HRW American History 71˚06'W of Boston B o s t o n ah06sec03loc004ba F2General 9/13/04 Washington arrived two H a r b o r Patriot advance 71˚04'W Approvedweeks later 11/04/04 and took command Patriot retreat of 14,000 troops. In 1776 they Nook’s drove the British from Boston. Patriot troops Hill

British advance British retreat geography British troops skills INTERPRETING MAPS British victory 1. Place What geographic advantage did control of Boston provide? 0 .5 1 Mile 2. Movement How did British troops retreat from Boston? How can 0 .5 1 Kilometer you tell?

71˚02'W 71˚00'W 70˚58'W 70˚56'W the american revolution 115

HRW National The ah07bs-c04map004aa Final proof: 02/02/05 The Siege of Boston ah06se-c03leg004aa Middle School – American History HRW F3 10/15/04-10/26/04 Approved: 11/04/04 DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” CorrectionKey=TX-A

Dorchester Heights morning and saw the Patriots’ well-positioned Shortly after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Gen- artillery, he knew he would have to retreat. eral Washington arrived in Boston to com- “The Rebels have done more in one night mand the Continental Army. Washington than my whole army could do in months,” knew that he would need heavier guns to Howe declared. On 7 Howe retreated drive the British out of Boston, and he knew from Boston to . The birthplace of the where to get them—Fort Ticonderoga. Colo- rebellion was now in Patriot hands. nel was assigned to transport Reading Check the captured from Fort Ticonderoga Drawing Inferences Why to Boston. He successfully brought the heavy was the geography of the Boston area important in guns over 300 miles of rough terrain in the forming a battle plan? middle of winter. When Knox delivered the cannons, Washington was ready to regain control of Boston. S Ummary and preview Some colonial On , 1776, Washington moved leaders became convinced that they could his army to Dorchester Heights, an area that not avoid war with Great Britain. In the overlooked Boston from the south. He sta- next section you will read about another tioned the cannons and his troops on Nook’s step toward war—the writing of the Decla- Hill overlooking British general William ration of Independence. Howe’s position. When Howe awoke the next

Section 1 Assessment ONLINE QUIZ Reviewing Ideas, Terms, and People 4. a. Identify What leader captured Fort Ticonderoga? 1. a. Identify What was the First Continental b. Draw Conclusions How was the Continental Congress? Army able to drive British forces out of Boston? b. Make Inferences Why did the First Continen- c. Evaluate How would you evaluate the perfor- tal Congress send the Declaration of Rights to the mance of the Continental Army in the early battles king? of the war? Explain. c. Elaborate Why did King George III refuse to Critical Thinking consider the colonists’ declaration? 5. Categorizing Review your notes on the early battles 2. a. Identify Who warned the colonists of the of the Revolution. Then copy the graphic organizer British advance toward Lexington and Concord? below and use it to categorize events in the early b. Analyze Why did the march on days of the Revolution. Some events will be attempts Lexington and Concord? at peace; others will be movement toward war. c. Elaborate What is meant by the expression “shot heard ‘round the world”? Attempts at Peace Movement toward War 3. a. Describe What was the purpose of the Second Continental Congress? b. Draw Conclusions Were the delegates to the Second Continental Congress ready to revolt against George III? Explain. Focus on Speaking c. Evaluate Defend George III’s response to 6. Thinking about the Beginning You’ll have about the Declaration of Rights and the Olive Branch five minutes for your report and only a minute or Petition. two to talk about the beginning of the war. What are the one or two most important things you want to say? Which ideas from your notes on class ­lectures might you include in your summary?

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