The Course of the Revolution

First Continental Congress was formed in 1774 and the representatives who included even women from the 12 colonies (except Georgia) met at Philadelphia to oppose the Intolerable Acts and also boycott British goods coming into America. The representatives were keen that the British repeal the acts and for this reason they decided to boycott trade with British.

Events at Lexington and Concord 1775

In Lexington and Concord, the British troops headed by Paul Revere confiscated local gun power and opened fire in which eight Americans were wounded and nine were killed. This open insurgence led to the loss of British troops and they were forced to retreat. The two most wanted persons by the British, Samuel Adams and John Hancock escaped from being caught in the hands of the British troops. In April 1775, British troops were ordered to seize Lexington and Concord and confiscate stores that had gunpowder and also capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. In the open fire at Lexington, eight Americans were killed. At Concord, the British troops were forced to retreat with the loss of 70 men. This was the first instance of open warfare.

The Second Continental Congress -1775 The representatives of the thirteen colonies met at Philadelphia and the new Congress issued a Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for taking up Arms. It also decided to form the Continental Army headed by the commander - in chief, George Washington .They wrote a letter to King George III with a faith that he would listen to their grievances and provide suitable solutions. At the Congress, the colonies agreed to provide troops and aid for the war and also seek French support in the wary

The moral victory of the colonists against the British troops at Bunker Hill -1775 set the stage for the revolt and the colonists were sure that if the colonists were united, they could oust the mighty British power.

Initial battle 1775 Ethan Allan led his troop and attacked the British fort at Ticonderoga on May 10 1775, and took the British troops by surprise.

Publication of Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense in 1776 The pamphlet in ordinary language ridiculed monarchy and hereditary succession and urged the colonists to break ties with Britain and go in for a government that was fully responsible to the people. This instilled vigor in the colonists to rise against the British.

The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence of 1776 drafted by Thomas Jefferson .This would free the colonists from the British crown. The Declaration encouraged reluctant colonists to join the war and stated reasons for the war. It proved to be a tool to propagate the reasons behind the war and unite the people and get aid for a just cause. George Washington was made the commander-in-Chief of the army and led the war to success.

Battles of success: From 1776-1777, George Washington and his troops made a surprise attack on a group of Hessians at Trenton, and then proceeded to New Jersey and Princeton at New Jersey and won the wars without much resistance. In 1777, Washington and his troop defeated the British troops at Saratoga in New York. The overwhelming success of the colonists made the French promise help the colonists in their war against their aged old rivals, the British. The French government signed tow treaties with the United States namely the Treaty of Amity and Commerce which assured American commerce a favorable treatment and Treaty of Alliance which promised French military support till America won independence. Furthermore, France renounced her claim on Canada, a move that show that her primary goal was not economic gains ,but to weaken Great Britain who was her enemy too.