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The ''Minute Men''' were patriots who prepared for war as the British government denied more and more rights and liberties in the early 1770s. Based on local militias, they were elite, well-trained units prepared to assemble at a minute's notice.

The ''Minute Men''' were patriots who prepared for war as the British government denied more and more rights and liberties in the early 1770s. Based on local militias, they were elite, well-trained units prepared to assemble at a minute's notice.

 

The planning worked well, for when the British in Boston sent out an elite regiment of 800 men to capture American leaders and supplies at Concord, the Minute Men were ready.  Alerted by [[Paul revere]] and other riders, several thousand Minute Men assembled in the night at pre-assigned places. The attacked the British column as it retreated back to Boston. Gaining the better of the fight, they nearly destroyed the British until rescuers arrived.

The planning worked well, for when on the night of April 18-19, 1775,  the British in Boston sent out an elite regiment of 700 men to capture Patriot leaders and supplies at Concord, the Minute Men were ready.  Alerted by [[Paul Revere]], [[Willaim Dawes]] and other riders, 4,000 Minute Men assembled in the night at pre-assigned places alongthe 20 mile route. They attacked the British column as it retreated back to Boston. Gaining the better of the fight, they nearly destroyed the British until rescuers arrived.  The British suffered 273 dead, wounded and missing; there were 93 American casualties. News of the Battle of Lexington and Concord immediately raced through the 13 colonies, as dozens of volunteer militia units marched to help Boston.  The British were trapped and finally left in March 1776, setting the stage for the [[Declaration of Independence]].

The Minute Men became iconic heroes of patriotism and civic duty in terms of American [[Republicanism]]

The Minute Men became iconic heroes of patriotism and civic duty in terms of American [[Republicanism]]