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The Shot Heard ‘Round the World

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World. Minutemen. As tension with Great Britain grew, local militia members began calling themselves minutemen because they were ready to fight on a minute’s n otice. Lexington and Concord Who What Where When Why?.

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The Shot Heard ‘Round the World

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  1. The Shot Heard ‘Round the World

  2. Minutemen • As tension with Great Britain grew, local militia members began calling themselves minutemen because they were ready to fight on a minute’s notice.

  3. Lexington and ConcordWho What Where When Why? On the evening of April 18, 1775, General Thomas Gage sent approximately 700 British soldiers out to Concord to try and capture John and Sam Adams and to seize and destroy military stores and equipment known to be stockpiled in the town. His orders to the British officer who was to lead the expedition, were as follows: Sir:Having received intelligence, that a quantity of Ammunition, Provision, Artillery, Tents and small arms, have been collected at Concord, for the Avowed Purpose of raising and supporting a Rebellion against His Majesty, you will march with the Corps of Grenadiers and Light Infantry, put under your command, with the utmost expedition and secrecy to Concord, where you will seize and destroy all Artillery, Ammunition, Provision, Tents, Small Arms, and all military stores whatever. But you will take care that the Soldiers do not plunder the inhabitants, or hurt private property.

  4. Lexington and ConcordWhere was it and what occurred? • Paul Revere is in Boston. He hears of the British plans, jumps on a horse, and gallops off to Lexington to warn the minutemen. • News traveled fast throughout the colonies; the colonist arms were moved to other areas and the colonists got ready to fight.

  5. Lexington and ConcordWhat happened? • When the British arrived at Lexington, an armed militia was there to meet them. The British ordered the militia to disband • A shot was fired (no one knows which side) that sent off a reaction of volleys. The Militia retreated. • When the British troops arrived at Concord, they were outnumbered and the militia was not about to retreat again. • The British ran back to Boston losing 20% army

  6. Lexington and ConcordWhere was it and what occurred?

  7. Lexington and ConcordWhat was the impact? • Days later the men of Massachusetts used the engagement as propaganda to turn the public opinion to their cause. At the time of the battle only one third of the population believed in breaking from Britain. • “The Shot Heard Round the World”

  8. Battle of Bunker Hill • In the early weeks of the American Revolution, the future of the rebellion was still very uncertain. The rebels’ armed forces were new and disorganized and had not yet been tested in a major battle. • The Battle of Bunker Hill put those fears to rest. On June 17, 1775, on a hilltop outside of Boston, just over a thousand poorly equipped militiamen withstood two infantry charges by nearly 3,000 British professional soldiers. The Americans finally fell back on the third charge, but only after inflicting heavy casualties on the British.

  9. Battle of Bunker HillColonists mistakes • Colonists wanted to lock the British in BostonThe British had been cooped up in Boston since the retreat at Lexington and Concord • Wanted to command heights on both the North and South parts of townBritish warships had control of Boston harbor and American guns couldn’t even reach Boston from Bunker Hill. • Colonists chose Breed’s Hill instead of Bunker HillBunker Hill – 110 ft. and provided the only route to retreat. Breed’s Hill – 75 ft. cut off from retreat route.

  10. Battle of Bunker HillBritish Blunders Too Cautious– they could have attacked from behind but instead, marched straight up to the American’s fortified lines. Tradition –Frontal Attack in lines across the hill.

  11. British lost ½ of their forces Americans lost 1/3rd of their forces This battle proved only the beginning of years of frustration and defeat in this American war. It proved that raw, untrained American troops could fight, and fight well – but only if they had to. It proved that success could come to the British if they were willing to break out of the mold. It proved that if the Colonists had any chance of staying united and actually winning, they needed a leader and fast! Battle of Bunker HillSignificance After the battle, one British general wrote that "a few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in America."

  12. Thomas Paine • On January 9, 1776, a 47 page pamphlet written by 38 year old Thomas Paine hit the streets of Philadelphia. • Common Sense argued convincingly in everyday language that the colonists should break away from Britain. • Ideas of revolution were spread to common farmers, to intellectuals, and stirred the hearts of the people. • The pamphlet eventually sold 500,000 copies.

  13. Sources • http://www.d-zignsinc.com/images/stock/flags/american/patr012.gif • http://www.britishbattles.com/military-prints/american-revolution/minute-men.jpg • http://www.brh.org.uk/heads2008/images/thomas_paine.jpg

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