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Lecture #5
The Revolutionary War
Pre-Declaration of Independence
September 1774 - In response to the Coercive Acts (the Intolerable Acts), the colonists
organized the First Continental Congress.
• It was agreed that if the British used force against the colonies, the colonies
should fight back.
• After this congress, colonists in many eastern New England towns stepped up
military preparations by stockpiling firearms and gunpowder.
• The birth of the Minutemen, civilian soldiers, who pledged to be ready to fight
against the British on a “minute’s notice.”
November 1774 – King George III writes to Lord North that “The New England
Governments are in a state of rebellion,” and that “blows must decide whether they are
to be subject to this country or independent.”
April 18, 1775 - Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott rode out to
spread the word that 700 British troops were headed for Boston.
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o The Church bells would be rung and shots would be fired to warn those in
the immediate area.
o It was the job of Revere, Dawes & Prescott to warn those on the outskirts
of Boston.
• The colonists are ordered to lay down their weapons and leave.
• Shots are fired. It is unknown which side fired the first shot.
• This becomes known as the Battle of Lexington, the first battle of the
Revolutionary War.
• This march back to Boston quickly becomes a slaughter, as by this time, the
colonists have been able to assemble between 3,000 and 4,000 minutemen.
• The minutemen fire on the British troops from behind stone walls and trees.
• Dozens of British soldiers are killed and the surviving British troops make it back
to Boston in humiliation.
• As the result, the colonials pick up valuable military supplies, including cannons.
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• The colonists are able to take strategic control of a large portion of the St.
Lawrence River.
• A debate ensues.
• Loyalists argue for reconciliation with England, while others argue for
independence.
• Acting on behalf of most of the colonies, this congress, by its actions, becomes
the first government of the United States.
• This congress agrees to convert the various colonial militias into one
Continental Army.
• The congress begins the process of purchasing supplies and arranging for
medical services for the new Continental Army.
• The colonists have the advantage of being able to fire down the hill upon the
charging British soldiers.
• The colonists hold their fire until the last minute and then begin to mow down the
advancing British soldiers. Orders are given not to shoot “until you see the
whites of their eyes.”
• The British succeed in taking the hill but lose over 1,000 men in the fight.
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• The colonists lose 450 men.
• King George rejects the petition and issues a proclamation stating that the
colonies are in rebellion.
• King George then urges Parliament to order a naval blockade designed to isolate
American seaports from their commercial activities.
When George Washington takes command of the Colonial Army, he really acquires little
more than a group of volunteers (not professional soldiers), whose strongest attribute is
that they are willing to fight.
One of Washington’s first task as Commander-In-Chief is to bring order to the army and
train the men how to become soldiers.
• Howe re-deploys his troops to Nova Scotia to prepare for a major offensive.
• In late June, hundreds of British ships, with a force of 32,000 soldiers enter and
take over New York Harbor.
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• In addition to their own troops, the British employed thousands of German
mercenaries (called Hessians because they came from the German region of
Hesse).
John Hancock, who was the President of the Congress, stated that it was important
“that the people be universally informed.”
- End of Lecture -
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