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==The American Revolution==

==The American Revolution==

The conflict between Britain and her colonies continued for over a decade before America moved for independence.  After all, the British eventually backed down from their early taxes when the colonies resisted.  But Britain did not back down from the Coercive Acts, in spite of strong resistance.  This time, they were determined to bring America into line.

The Coercive (or Intolerable) Acts sparked the Revolution.  Britain had backed down from earlier conflicts caused by its laws, but not this time.  Britain was determined to bring America into line.

The Coercive Acts were aimed squarely at Massachusetts, specifically, Boston.  Britain hoped that Massachusetts would give in if it was isolated from the other colonies.  But the network of organizations that ran throughout the colonies united them, and they stood together.

The colonists responded with the [[First Continental Congress]], in 1774. Every colony except Georgia agreed to disobey the Coercive Acts and to withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm their people.  Their agreement is recorded in the Declaration of Rights and Grievances by John Adams.  The Congress also gave Massachusetts instructions on resisting the Coercive Acts, called the Suffolk Resolves.  Massachusetts, still heavily Puritan, was prepared to defy the British.  The Congress composed a set of Declarations and Resolves which established the colonies' position toward Britain.  The colonies agreed to end all trade with Britain in a final effort to have her alter her policies.  All of these plans were carried out.

The [[First Continental Congress]] was held in 1774. Every Colony except Georgia agreed to disobey Coercive Acts, withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm their people.  Their agreement is recorded in the Declaration of Rights and Grievances by John Adams.  The Congress also gave Massachusetts instructions on resisting the Coercive Acts, called the Suffolk Resolves.  Massachusetts was prepared to defy the British.  The Congress composed a set of Declarations and Resolves which established the colonies' position toward Britain.  The colonies agreed to end all trade with Britain in a final effort to have her alter her policies.  All of these plans were carried out.

Yet the British did not back down. Colonists were prohibited from presenting petitions and declarations and resolutions to Parliament.  William Pitt, one of the colonists few friends in the British Parliament, introduced a resolution to withdraw British troops from the colonies.  This was defeated in Parliament by a wide margin: 68 to 18.  Parliament officially declared that Massachusetts was in rebellion.

Many Americans were ready to forsake all hope of peace.  Patrick Henry was one of these, when he said these words in a famous address, "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, '''give me liberty or give me death!'''"

 

Many Americans were ready to forsake all hope of peace.  Patrick Henry was one of these, when he said these words in a famous address, "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

On April 19, 1775, the British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], responded to orders to forcibly stop the rebellion.  He sent troops to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition, and maybe arrest some leaders.

On April 19, 1775, the British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], responded to orders to forcibly stop the rebellion.  He sent troops to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition, and maybe arrest some leaders.