The Road to Revolution

After the First Continental Congress, minutemen, which were colonists ready to spring into action in case of a British attack, began mobilizing for war. Knowing this, General Thomas Gage of the British army sent troops from Boston to Concord to seize illegal weapons. The night before the British seize, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to alert the colonies that the British were coming. The first outbreak of the revolutionary war began on the way to Concord at Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. The battle only lasted 15 minutes because of the far greater British force. The redcoats continued to Concord to find the weapons arsenal, but were confounded when it was empty. They then proceeded to march back to Boston. On the way back, 3000 minutemen assembled to ambush the British. This resulted in major casualties for the British.

In May 1775, colonial leaders called the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. There was a dispute over pursuing independence and reconciling with Britain. Despite the differences, Congress continued to create the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its comander.

On June 17, 1775, General Gage sent 2400 British soldiers to Breed's Hill which was occupied by the colonists. A battle emerged and resulted in 450 colonial casualties and 1000 British casualties. Despite the success of the colonies, some delegates still felt loyal to George III and blamed his ministers.

On July 8, Congress sent the king the Olive Branch Petition, urging to bring back the mutual companionship they had in the past. Instead of complying, King George III ordered a naval blockade to isolate the ships heading to America.

-Felix, Kevin