Changes

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.

[[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 seventy three 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.

The British troops continued to Concord.  Here a larger number of colonists attacked them and routed them back to Lexington.  Only 93 colonists died in comparison to 275 British soldiers.  The British were narrowly saved by the arrival of reinforcements.

The British troops continued to Concord.  Here a larger number of colonists attacked them and routed them back to Lexington.  Only 93 colonists died in comparison to 275 British soldiers.  The British were narrowly saved by the arrival of reinforcements.

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 governed during the Revolution.  As a last attempt for peace, they sent the "Olive Branch Petition" (written by Charles Townshend) to the King.  He refused to even 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.  Today, Lake Champlain is located in the far north of Vermont.  

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.)

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 overwhelming true in this case.  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 month, 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.  Often written books or pamphlets were a bigger force than military battles, and this was overwhelming 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!

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!"