Term
| *Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1774 |
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Definition
| Major John Pitcairn leads 700 redcoats to Lexington and Concord to destroy a rebel supply depot, and to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. Paul Revere and William Dawes warn militia, and Hancock + Adams of British advancement. Some 70 militia gather at Lexington, where they some 20 are killed or wounded in battle, (The British fired first, after Americans began slowly retreating). At Concord they destroy what little supplies are left, but on the road back, British forces are harassed by guerrilla like warfare, and take heavy losses. 250 brit losses, 100 American. |
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Term
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Definition
| Were units of American militia that were ready to mobilize in a minute against British threats. Were 1/4 of American militia. |
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Term
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Definition
| Slang for members of British army. |
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Term
| *Paul Revere, William Dawes |
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Definition
| Paul Revere (silversmith) and William Dawes (tanner) warned American militia, and John Hancock/Sam Adams, of British forces that were coming to assault them. |
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Term
| Second Continental Congress |
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Definition
| Met on May 10, 1775 in Philadelphia, there they decided to assume the role of Revolutionary govt, and put George Washington (fought in French Indian war, experienced) in charge of the Continental Army (mostly militia, nonetheless). Also issued 2 million dollars in paper money, to support themselves. |
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Term
| Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill) |
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Definition
Colonial troops fortify high ground of Breed's Hill that overlooks Boston. British forces attack three times, and take 1000 losses, to 400 American losses.
The English generals, were overconfident, and Americans realized that they stood a fair chance with the British , also Congress made all able bodied men join to militia. |
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Term
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Definition
| July 5/6, 1775, After Bunker Hill Congress passes Olive Branch Petition, pledging loyalty to George III, if he would only have peace with America, John Dickison writes this, and believes that their cause is just, and would rather rebel than be slaves. |
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Term
| *Thomas Paine: Common Sense |
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Definition
| In 1776, the pamphlet Common Sense, Paine attacks allegiance to the monarchy, King George III and his advisers are responsible for all our suffering, that they should declare total independence, very popular. |
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