Chapter 4
Minutemen
- An organized group of civilian soldiers in Massachusetts that began training in 1775.
Lexington Green and Concord Bridge
- In April, 1775, the Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred. There were about 70 Minutemen at
Lexington when the Redcoats arrived (8 Minutemen were killed). At Concord Bridge, militiamen
came from all sides and forced the Redcoats to give up their position. There were a total of 273
British casualties and less than 100 American ones.
Second Continental Congress
- May 10, 1775: the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. It was more radical than the
First Continental Congress and included men such as Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas
Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee. Benjamin Franklin was also a delegate and he began to be
more radical. John Hancock of Boston was elected the president of the Congress. This congress
made crucial decisions on behalf of the American people, while still having no authority. They
dealt with the first military crisis and organized the Continental Army, appointing George
Washington as commander in chief.
Battle of Bunker Hill
- The Continental Army seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. On June 17, 1775, the Redcoats
marched on Breed’s Hill and were continuously pushed back and suffered losses. The Americans
ran out of ammunition when the British returned and eventually the British left the Charlestown
peninsula. 1000 Redcoats died out of 2500, while only 400 Americans died.
- This was significant because it was the first major battle of the war in which the Americans
proved that they were able to defend themselves and fight successfully against a professional
army. It also reduced any chance of peaceful negotiation between Britain and America.
Olive Branch Petition
- One last plea to the king for compromise and negotiation sent from the Continental Congress.
“Declaration of Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms”
- A declaration that condemned everything the British had done and imposed on the Americans
since 1763.
- American were a “people attacked by unprovoked enemies”
Common Sense
- Written by Thomas Paine, this book called for the complete independence of the colonies. It
attacked King George III and the entire monarchical concept. It also said that Americans have the
right to a government of their own. 150,000 copies were distributed throughout the colonies from
January to July, 1776.
- This was significant because it helped to shift the overall opinion of the public to the idea that
independence and an American nation was the right move and would benefit the American
people.
Lee’s Resolution
- A resolution introduced and created by Richard Henry Lee on June 7, 1776. It stated that the
colonies should be “free and independent states” and that they are therefore separated entirely
from the British Crown. This was not passed until July 2, 1776.
, Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft for the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin and
John Adams made a few amendments and then on July 4, 1776, the entire Continental Congress
adopted and signed the Declaration.
- Consists of two parts
1. Jefferson justifies the right of all people to revolt and described the theory of the new American
government
2. A list of “injuries and usurpations” of King Geroge III. Jefferson indicted the king for wronging
the colonies and listed out these wrongdoings.
- Intended to persuade foreign opinion, but did not have a large impact outside of GB immediately.
Battle of Long Island - Battle of New York
- British stationed on Staten Island, Americans in Brooklyn waiting for British to attack
- British were waiting to attack to have time to strengthen army
- British eventually attacked, they split the army in half to squeeze Americans. Pushed Americans
to the coast of Long Island. Howe chose to not conquer the Americans and GW escaped the
British by going across the river.
Battle of Saratoga
- Burgoyne took his British troops from Canada, down Lake Champlain, towards Albany. Along
the way he captured Fort Ticonderoga. However, the American forces, led by George
Washingotn, Philip Schuyler, Horatio Gates, and Benedict Arnold moved South and attacked the
British troops, putting Burgoyne under siege. Burgoyne surrendered October 17, 1777.
Battle of Yorktown
- General Clinton ordered Corn wallis to establish a base at Yorktown so he could be supplied at
sea with resources and reinforcements. This, however, was a terrible mistake, because the French
had sent ships to America and had an elaborate and complex plan to defeat Cornwallis.
Peace of Paris, 1783
- Continental Congress sent a commission
- The French had selfish incentives (only looking out for themselves)
- Americans negotiated a separate peace with British in order to avoid making an enemy with a
superpower
Articles of Confederation
- Legal document that outlined the authority of the Continental Congress.
- This gave Congress the ability to set western borders.
- Equal representation across states (each got one vote)
- Maryland did not ratify until 1781 because it would help them with their land claims against
Virginia.
- Largely ineffective because government could not enforce taxes or enforce laws
- Had control over foreign affairs
Land Ordinance 1785
- Townships set up in Midwest
- No slavery was allowed here
- There was a huge emphasis on education
Northwest Ordinance 1787
Minutemen
- An organized group of civilian soldiers in Massachusetts that began training in 1775.
Lexington Green and Concord Bridge
- In April, 1775, the Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred. There were about 70 Minutemen at
Lexington when the Redcoats arrived (8 Minutemen were killed). At Concord Bridge, militiamen
came from all sides and forced the Redcoats to give up their position. There were a total of 273
British casualties and less than 100 American ones.
Second Continental Congress
- May 10, 1775: the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. It was more radical than the
First Continental Congress and included men such as Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas
Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee. Benjamin Franklin was also a delegate and he began to be
more radical. John Hancock of Boston was elected the president of the Congress. This congress
made crucial decisions on behalf of the American people, while still having no authority. They
dealt with the first military crisis and organized the Continental Army, appointing George
Washington as commander in chief.
Battle of Bunker Hill
- The Continental Army seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. On June 17, 1775, the Redcoats
marched on Breed’s Hill and were continuously pushed back and suffered losses. The Americans
ran out of ammunition when the British returned and eventually the British left the Charlestown
peninsula. 1000 Redcoats died out of 2500, while only 400 Americans died.
- This was significant because it was the first major battle of the war in which the Americans
proved that they were able to defend themselves and fight successfully against a professional
army. It also reduced any chance of peaceful negotiation between Britain and America.
Olive Branch Petition
- One last plea to the king for compromise and negotiation sent from the Continental Congress.
“Declaration of Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms”
- A declaration that condemned everything the British had done and imposed on the Americans
since 1763.
- American were a “people attacked by unprovoked enemies”
Common Sense
- Written by Thomas Paine, this book called for the complete independence of the colonies. It
attacked King George III and the entire monarchical concept. It also said that Americans have the
right to a government of their own. 150,000 copies were distributed throughout the colonies from
January to July, 1776.
- This was significant because it helped to shift the overall opinion of the public to the idea that
independence and an American nation was the right move and would benefit the American
people.
Lee’s Resolution
- A resolution introduced and created by Richard Henry Lee on June 7, 1776. It stated that the
colonies should be “free and independent states” and that they are therefore separated entirely
from the British Crown. This was not passed until July 2, 1776.
, Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft for the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin and
John Adams made a few amendments and then on July 4, 1776, the entire Continental Congress
adopted and signed the Declaration.
- Consists of two parts
1. Jefferson justifies the right of all people to revolt and described the theory of the new American
government
2. A list of “injuries and usurpations” of King Geroge III. Jefferson indicted the king for wronging
the colonies and listed out these wrongdoings.
- Intended to persuade foreign opinion, but did not have a large impact outside of GB immediately.
Battle of Long Island - Battle of New York
- British stationed on Staten Island, Americans in Brooklyn waiting for British to attack
- British were waiting to attack to have time to strengthen army
- British eventually attacked, they split the army in half to squeeze Americans. Pushed Americans
to the coast of Long Island. Howe chose to not conquer the Americans and GW escaped the
British by going across the river.
Battle of Saratoga
- Burgoyne took his British troops from Canada, down Lake Champlain, towards Albany. Along
the way he captured Fort Ticonderoga. However, the American forces, led by George
Washingotn, Philip Schuyler, Horatio Gates, and Benedict Arnold moved South and attacked the
British troops, putting Burgoyne under siege. Burgoyne surrendered October 17, 1777.
Battle of Yorktown
- General Clinton ordered Corn wallis to establish a base at Yorktown so he could be supplied at
sea with resources and reinforcements. This, however, was a terrible mistake, because the French
had sent ships to America and had an elaborate and complex plan to defeat Cornwallis.
Peace of Paris, 1783
- Continental Congress sent a commission
- The French had selfish incentives (only looking out for themselves)
- Americans negotiated a separate peace with British in order to avoid making an enemy with a
superpower
Articles of Confederation
- Legal document that outlined the authority of the Continental Congress.
- This gave Congress the ability to set western borders.
- Equal representation across states (each got one vote)
- Maryland did not ratify until 1781 because it would help them with their land claims against
Virginia.
- Largely ineffective because government could not enforce taxes or enforce laws
- Had control over foreign affairs
Land Ordinance 1785
- Townships set up in Midwest
- No slavery was allowed here
- There was a huge emphasis on education
Northwest Ordinance 1787
