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The War Begins. The Battle of Bunker Hill. The Second Continental Congress. Even though fighting had broke out, many colonists still did not know what to do The 2 nd Congress again met in Philadelphia in 1775, some wanted independence some did not, either way they did the following:
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The War Begins The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Second Continental Congress • Even though fighting had broke out, many colonists still did not know what to do • The 2nd Congress again met in Philadelphia in 1775, some wanted independence some did not, either way they did the following: • Chose George Washington as the commander of the newly formed continental army • Started printing money The Second Continental Congress Appoints George Washington Commander in Chief
The Olive Branch Petition • The 2nd Continental Congress made one last attempt at peace and sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III • George III did not answer, instead declared the colonies in “open…rebellion” • Parliament votes to send 20,000 troops to colonies An Olive Branch Symbolizes Peace
Patriots Against Loyalists • A split had developed in the American colonies • Colonists who favored independence called themselves Patriots • Those who remained loyal to Britain and the king were called Loyalists • Government officials were often Loyalists and many enslaved African Americans sided with the British
Ft. Ticonderoga • While the 2nd Continental Congress met, Ethan Allen and his “Green Mountain Boys” captured the British Ft. Ticonderoga in upstate New York • The Victory was important because: • Controlled the main route between the Hudson River and Canada • Cannons were obtained and later used to drive the British from Boston Ethan Allen Demands the Surrender of Fort Ticonderoga
The Battle of Bunker Hill • By June 1775, the Americans had surrounded British occupied Boston • The Americans controlled two surrounding hills called Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill • The British try three times to try and take the hill, finally succeeding on the third try • Even though the British win, they suffer huge losses, it affected the colonist in that they knew they could fight against the British • Washington uses the cannons obtained from Ft. Ticonderoga to drive the British on March 17th 1776
A Long Battle Ahead • Despite the American victory at Boston, the British blockade American ports • They also strengthen their army through mercenaries • The Americans lose a battle outside Quebec, leaving Canada to the British Benedict Arnold is Wounded Outside Quebec leaving the British to Claim Canada