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Chapter 6-1 Fighting Begins in North Olive Branch – A

symbol of peace; often used with a dove

Patriots – Colonists who thought British were too harsh and unfair; chose to fight

Loyalists – Colonists who stayed loyal to England

Green Mountain Boys – A Vermont Militia Led by Ethan Allen

SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS met in Philadelphia (spring 1775); hoped to avoid war with England

Sent “Olive Branch Petition” to King George III promising to stay loyal to king, but Intolerable (Coercive) Acts had to be repealed

King was angry – sent 20,000 more troops to America to crush revolt

Many Patriots were convinced war was unavoidable

FORT TICONDEROGA: British Fort in Northern New York

Ethan Allen led Green Mountain boys to take the fort

Knew it had cannons Patriots could use Took the fort and gained control over its weapons

& gun powder; controlled key route into Canada CONTINENTAL ARMY – Patriot army set up

by Second Continental Congress Made George Washington the commander

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Chapter 6-1 Fighting Begins in North OPPOSING SIDES

There were more Loyalists in the middle and southern colonies

High percentage Patriots in New England Loyalists were persecuted by Patriots;

many fled to Canada BRITISH DISADVANTAGES 3000 miles from home Risked attack by civilians when out of cities News & supplies took months to arrive from

Britain BRITISH ADVANTAGES Best trained army in the world Strongest navy in the world Had support of many colonists

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Chapter 6-1 Fighting Begins in North Mercenary – soldier

who fights for money

Hessian – Prussian soldiers who fought for the British

Neutral – not taking sides in a conflict or fight

Enlist – to officially join – usually in the military

OPPOSING SIDES About 1/3 of colonists sided with Patriots About 1/3 of colonists sided with Loyalists About 1/3 of colonists tried to remain neutral PATRIOT DISADVANTAGES Poorly organized & untrained Few weapons – especially cannons Little gunpowder and ammunition Had no navy Didn’t want to enlist for long terms & preferred to

fight near their homes PATRIOT ADVANTAGES Many owned their own rifles and were good shots General Washington was a strong commander Had determination to defend their homes Had “home field advantage” because they knew

the terrain

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Chapter 6-1 Fighting Begins in North Blockade –

Shutting a port to keep people and supplies from moving in or out.

Redcoats – British soldiers

THE FIGHT FOR BOSTON 6,000 British troops were stationed there Militias surrounded city and wouldn’t let redcoats

march out Much fighting centered around Boston in early days

of war BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL (Breed’s Hill) Patriot Colonel William Prescott led 1,200 troops to

Bunker Hill Was looking for a good place to fire on British ships Saw that nearby Breed’s Hill was even better and

moved soldiers there British General Howe led 2,400 redcoats to attack Patriots were low on ammunition and out-numbered To save ammunition, Prescott told his men, “Don’t

fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” Patriots lost the battle, but 1,000 redcoats died while

only 400 patriots died This first major battle showed the British that the

Patriots were serious BRITISH LEAVE BOSTON Washington reached Boston and had 16,000

soldiers Used cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to scare British

out. British left the city but ordered a blockade of ALL

colonial port cities

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Chapter 6-1 Fighting Begins in North