Chapter 6.1

Describe how Congress struggeled between peace and war with Britian.

List the advantages each side had as it entered the war.

Explain how the Continental Army gained control of Boston.

Second Continental Congress met in Philadephia in May 1775

Most delegates wanted to avoid war, but fighting spread

Olive Branch Petition Declare their loyalty to King Repeal of Intolerable Rights King enraged, sends 20,000

troops John and Sam Adams believed war

would come

Vermont, Ethan Allen leads Green Mountain Boys to take British Fort Ticonderoga in New York

Captures cannons that are moved to Boston

Allen success controls route to Canada

The Second Continental Congress selects George Washington to lead the Army.

He arrives in Boston to train the troops.

The next few years will be a challenge.

Partiots: poorly organized and untrained Few heavy guns and no navy Advantage: fight from home, knew the land

British: Best trained army and navy Some colonist (loyalist) support

Wealthy and former officials (more in Middle and South Colonies), faced hard times, move to Canada

Disadvantage: Far from home

June 1775, Colonel Willaim Prescott and 1200 militia defend Bunker Hill. Move to Breed’s Hill

Overlooks Boston, allows Patriots to fire on British ships and city

2400 Redcoats under General William Howe attack twice with many casualties, third takes hill

First major battle of Revolution

Washington builds an army with 16,000 troops

January 1776, guns arrive from New York and placed to fire on Boston harbor

March 1776, British leave for Halifax, Canada