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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 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.

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.

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 from England 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.

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began.  At Lexington, just 75 colonists faced several hundred British soldiers.  When the British ordered the colonists to disperse, gunfire broke out.  Eight colonists were killed and ten were wounded in the ensuing chaos.  But 73 British died.

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began.  At Lexington, just 75 colonists faced several hundred British soldiers.  When the British ordered the colonists to disperse, gunfire broke out.  Eight colonists were killed and ten were wounded in the ensuing chaos.  But 73 British died.

That and other conflicts brought the colonies together in 1775 for the [[Second Continental Congress]].  They realized that hope for peace was foolish now.  It was time to prepare for war.  The Congress instituted paper money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], which he then led throughout the Revolution.  As a last attempt for peace, they sent the "Olive Branch Petition" (written by Charles Townshend) to the King.  He refused even to receive the petition.  War was inevitable.

That and other conflicts brought the colonies together in 1775 for the [[Second Continental Congress]].  They realized that hope for peace was foolish now.  It was time to prepare for war.  The Congress instituted paper money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], which he then led throughout the Revolution.  As a last attempt for peace, they sent the "Olive Branch Petition" (written by Charles Townshend) to the King.  He refused even to receive the petition.  War was inevitable.

As the Congress met in Philadelphia, the "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area near Lake Champlain.  (Lake Champlain is located in the far north of Vermont, which was not a colony then.)  

As the Congress met in Philadelphia, the colonial "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area near Lake Champlain.  (Lake Champlain is located in the far north of Vermont, which was not a colony then.)  

In January of 1776 [[Thomas Paine]]'s pamphlet called [[Common Sense]] argued against divine rule and economic reasons to stay with Britain, in plain language.  Often written books or pamphlets were a bigger force than military battles, and this was overwhelmingly true in this case.  Nearly every literate adult read Common Sense, and Paine's argument gave countless colonists the courage to realize that separation from Britain was necessary and attainable.  After only three months, 120,000 copies had been sold!

In January of 1776 [[Thomas Paine]]'s pamphlet called [[Common Sense]] argued against divine rule and economic reasons to stay with Britain, in plain language.  Paine's argument gave countless colonists the courage to realize that separation from Britain was necessary and attainable.  After only three months, 120,000 copies had been sold!

Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"

Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies' many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God's providence and truth.     

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies' many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God's providence and truth.     

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one-third of the population was loyal to Britain and another significant percentage were pacifist [[Quakers]].  Washington's army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium for a football game.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies did not start winning until Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

Still, the colonies had few troops, especially since one-third of the population was loyal to Britain and another significant percentage were pacifist [[Quakers]].  Washington's army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium for a football game.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies did not start winning until Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.