Essential Question

• What was the series of events that led to the first formal battle of the American Revolution?

The Siege of Boston

Chapter 6 Section 4 (Pt I)

Boston• After Lexington & Concord,

British troops retreated to safety in Boston– 15,000 colonial militiamen

quickly encircled the city in a military siege

• If the Continental Army was able to place artillery, or cannon & large guns, on the heights, the British would be forced to surrender the city

A Daring Plan• The American plan for

capturing Boston was both bold and complicated– First, Vermont

frontiersman Ethan Allen would lead his men, known as the “Green Mountain Boys”, in capturing artillery @ Fort Ticonderoga

– Second, Allen & his men would drag the captured cannon back to Boston

The 2nd Continental Congress• On the same day as the

attack on Ft. Ticonderoga, the 2nd Continental Congress began meeting in Philadelphia– This Congress served as

America’s govt. during the war

– Delegates included many famous American leaders including:• John & Sam Adams• George Washington• John Hancock• Ben Franklin

The Continental Army

– One major decision made @ this meeting was to create a formal standing army• The Continental Army

would be formed from Patriots throughout the colonies.• GW was tapped to

command the Army

Summary/Test Question

• Which of the members of the 2nd Cont. Congress was also the commanding General of the Continental Army?a. John Hancockb. George Washingtonc. Patrick Henryd. Ben Franklin

Battle of Bunker Hill• Meanwhile, tensions were

building in Boston– By June 1775, militiamen

occupied positions on both Bunker Hill & Breed’s Hill surrounding the city• Alarmed by American

occupation of the high ground, & the corresponding potential for devastating artillery fire, Gen. William Howe decided to attack

• W/ 2,200 men, Howe climbed Breed’s Hill and attacked the American position in waves

Colonists Hold Their Own

– American forces were eventually moved off the Hills, but the British paid a heavy cost• 1000 redcoats were

killed or wounded to only 400 militiamen• The inexperienced

Americans had held their own