The American Revolution
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From Lexington to Independence
Fighting began when British troops marched to seize colonial military supplies in Massachusetts. Colonial militia fought back, and the conflict quickly became a war. Many colonists still hoped for a peaceful solution, but continued fighting and strong arguments for self-government pushed the Second Continental Congress to declare independence in 1776.
1 The Ride to Warn the Countryside On the night of April 18, 1775, riders including Paul Revere and William Dawes warned that British troops were marching toward Concord. Not started 2 Lexington and Concord The first shots of the war were fired on April 19, 1775, and British troops were attacked for miles as they marched back to Boston. Not started 3 A Continental Army The Second Continental Congress chose George Washington to lead a new army made from colonial forces that had never fought together as one. Not started 4 We Hold These Truths On July 4, 1776, Congress approved a few pages that told the world thirteen colonies were now free states, and why. Not started