The Battle of Bunker Hill

On June 17, 1775 the Battle of Bunker Hill took place. It is one of the most important colonial victories in the U.S war for independence. It lent considerable encouragement to the revolutionary cause. This battle made both sides realize that this was not going to be a matter decided on by one quick and decisive battle. When the British planned to occupy Dorchester Heights on the Boston Peninsula, the colonists became alarmed at the build up of British troops off of the coast. The colonists decided that action had to be taken so as to stop the threatening British movement in this territory to protect themselves from an attack.

The Battle of Bunker Hill started when the colonists learned about the British plan to occupy Dorchester Heights. The colonists were understandably shaken by this news. They thought they had to protect their land and freedom. The Americans had proved to themselves, and the rest of the world that they could stand up to the British army in traditional warfare. And only a few days later, George Washington would lead a group of men up to Dorchester Heights, aiming their cannons at the British, and then watched the Red Coats retreat from the hill. So even though the British had won the battle, it was a short lived victory since the colonists took control of the hill again, but this time with more soldiers to defend it.

The Battle of Bunker Hill was important for a variety of reasons. The first one being that it was the first battle of the Revolutionary War, and because of the fierce fighting that defined the battle it foreshadowed that it was going to be a long, close war. Another important event that came from the battle was that it allowed the American troops to know that the British army was not invincible, and that they could defeat the British in traditional warfare. The losses experienced on the British side also helped to bolster the colonists confidence. So it came to be that the Battle of Bunker Hill would be the foundation that the colonists would look back to for the many battles that occurred during the American Revolution. The first being that the British suffered heavy losses and would no longer convinced of a victory when they went to battle the colonists.

Revolutionary Womens

Deborah samson, Was an illiterate(unable to read or write) massachusetts setts farm worker who loved adventure. In 1782 after the last battle of the war but while there was still some fighting she enlisted in the continental army as robert shurtliff. She served for one and a half years. According to one account afer samson was hit by a musket ball she cut the ball out of her leg to avoid being examined by a doctor. Later a doctor treating samson for a fever discovered her secrets. She was given an honorable discharge in October 1783. Some patrios womens set fire to their own property to keep loyalist from using it. Catherine schuyler set fire to her family's wheat fields in upstate New York so the british troops could not use the crop. In revenge, the british burned Schyler's house to the ground.

A few camp, Followers served on the battlefield they hauled cold water for cooling down the canons. Two legendary water carriers were Margaret Corbin took over her husbands cannon when he was killed in battle and fired it until her arm was nearly torn off by grapeshot. Hays also took over from her husband when he collapsed from heat. One soldiers memoir recalls that she kept firing the cannon ball blew off the lower part of her petticoat. Patience Lovell wrigth was an artist who made wax figures of famous people. In 1772 she moved to England. There, she met many important people. When the revolution started, Lovell began to spy for the patriot, passing along information to the colonies by hiding messages inside wax figures that she shipped over for display.

Ann bailey did not, Fare as well as deborah samson. She enlisted in 1777 as samuel gay. Within three weeks she was promoted to corporal. Shortly afterward her disguise was discovered and she ran away. A few month later bailey was found and tried in court. She was fined sentenced two months in jail and discharged from the army. In the british tax on tea on the night of December 16 1773 some men boarded a ship and threw all of its cargo of tea into Boston Harbor. The event is called Bosotn Tea Party. Sarah Fulton helped the men disguise themselves as Mohawk indians. Then she heated water in her kitchen so they could wash off the disguises. For this she called the mother of the Boston Tea Party

When Washington Crossed the Delaware

Christmas night of 1776, was a troubled time for the United States. After six months the Declaration of Independence had been signed, General George Washington and his army, had suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of the British. Washington lead the main body of his army across the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack to the British. Washington and his men were going against the odds. People thought it was impossible for them to win against the most powerful army in those times. But men who started across the cold Delaware loved their country and their leader, they wanted to get their Independence.

When they started across the Delaware, Washington's men had no jackets to keep them warm, many had no shoes. Everyone was hungry. Under General Washington's orders they had taken every boat they could find with them, so they were safe from the British. But Washington's men were exhausted and sick. On the other side of the icy river, British had stationed Hessians. The Hessians had no respect for the American. Before dawn on December 26 they would attack the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. Washington thought that they could only win if his men caught the Hessians by surprise.

Thomas Paine inspired Washington's men to fight against the British. On Christmas night of 1776, Washington led twenty-four hundred men to a crossing point 9 miles upstream from Trenton. Washington's men crowded into large boats that would take them to the opposite shore. They had eighteen cannons, so getting them across the river was very hard. But at three o' clock in the morning, the crossing was complete! Washington's army thought that their surprise attack would no be effective because they had to do it during the daylight, but they still did it. The American soldiers bombard them so much, that the Hessians had to leave the place. 19-year-old Captain Alexander Hamilton lead one of the companies firing the Hessians. Another person who was there was James Monroe, which later he would become the fifth president of United States. The battle was called "The Battle of Trenton", which Washington's army won.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Battle of Bunker Hill

This battle could be considered one the mosto significant battles of the colonists. The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775 on a place known as Breed's Hill. This was during the early stages of the Revolutionary War and the Siege on Boston.The Battle of Bunker Hill is named after "Bunker Hill" which is adjacent to Breed's Hill. It is located near a peninsula in Boston.

The British had all the odds for this battle, having the British Army and Hessiens as backup. The Colonists made some preparations for the battle (sending 1,200 soldiers to make some arrangements), but a British officer found out about their tactics and they decided to fight during the day. They fought at 3 pm, General Howe leading a group of infantry and brigadiers on the left flank of the Colonists defense. A group of sir Robert Pigot were situated just south of Charleston town, where they started to get sniper damage. They eventually decide to burn the whole town to the ground, leaving a lot of smoke in the battlefield.

This battle was fought between the Continental army and the British Army. It was planned by Lord William Howe, and he was expecting to win the battle easily against the United Colonies. Even though he won the battle, he had a total of 1054 casualties while the continental army only had 450 casualties. George Washington was able to defeat 2 attacks of the British, until they were out of ammunition and had to retreat. They lost the battle, but it gave the Continental Army a huge boost of confidence.

Declaration of Independence

One of the most remarkable documents during the United States independence. It was drafted and voted by Thomas Jefferson in July 2, 1776, and was later signed and approved July 4, 1776. This document basically stated that the thirteen colonies were completely independent from the British Empire. This document is located in the Library of Congress in Washington. 4th of July is now a national holiday, also known as Independence Day.

Thomas Jefferson as many know is the main author of the Declaration of Independence, but he is not the only one who contributed to it. 56 other delegates from the thirteen colonies had to sign the Declaration. When the Declaration was signed, people started to question Parliament and saying it was a set of laws for Great Britain only! The Declaration had a lot of controversial topics, for example it stated that the King was actually a tyrant. Another example was that it stated that "all men are created equal" which makes it a problem because rich men thought slaves were not humans.

As you know, before the Declaration United States and Great Britain were already fighting a war. The Coercive act was given to punish the people of Boston of their actions, like the Boston Tea Party. So the First Continental Congress decided to boycott British goods. The was one of the many responses of the colonists. Later the Second Continental Congress joined and they accepted the Declaration of Independence.

The Second Continental Congress

This congress took place in Pennsylvania and 13 colonies except Georgia were part of this congress. The chief accomplishment of the Second Continental Congress, which convened on May 10, 1775. Was the drafting of the declaration of independence. The Second Continental Congress took place in the wake of the Seven Years’ War between Great Britain and France, which left Britain deep in debt. To pay off this debt, the British Parliament passed legislation that increased tax revenues from the American colonies, including the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Revenue Act of 1767. Many colonists, though, and the purpose of both the First Continental Congress and the Second Continental Congress was to oppose them. The colonists argued that because the colonies were not represented in Parliament, that body had no authority to tax them, a view expressed in the still well-known phrase “no taxation without representation.”

This congress had 4 interesting things. First one, this congress assumed the whole responsibility of the war. Second one, they set up a continental army to defend them in any important case. Third one, George Washington who had a experience in the french-indian war being a soldier was put in charge of this continental army. And the fourth one, they sent a peace petition to King George III which he rejected. This petition is also known as the "Olive Branch Petition."

A important character which helped the second continental congress was, John Hancock. John Hancock which was the president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, was elected to be the president of this Second Continental Congress when Peyton Randolph left this place. He became the president because Henry Middleton which was their first option declined so John was the chosen one. Hancock is also known for his large signature in the Declaration of Independence. And for being the first member of the congress to sign this document.

First Continental Congress!

As you know, the Coercive Act, or the Intolerable Act as the colonists called it, was put into action in 1774. Some of the laws that was the Boston Port Act in March 31, 1774. This Act closed all ports in Boston and only British boats could enter and leave. Another act was the Quartering Act of 1774, which was the same act as the first one. These and many other acts were given to colonist and they were upset and tired with all the acts that were unfairly given.

In response to the Coercive Act, the colonists took action and decided to organize a meeting, hence the First Continental Congress was formed. It was the not the first congress they make, the first one was the Stamp Act Congress. The First Continental Congress was made up of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies (excluding Georgia). This Congress was established September 5, 1774. The meeting took place in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. There were 56 seats inside the meeting room, and this congress was succeded by the Second Continental Congress.

The Coercive Act was not given without reason, the British wanted to punish the colonists because of their actions (Boston Tea Party). One of the major causes that the First Continental Congress did was the absolute boycott of British goods. This boycott was accepted by the colonists and began December 1, 1774. Joseph Galloway thought of a "plan of union" which he wanted a legislative power in America. Another important accomplishment in the First Continental Congress was that they decide on making the Second Continental Congress in may 10, 1775.