20230216 Notes.docx

Lead up to Revolution - HIST 1050

First Continental Congress (1774) * In response to the intolerable acts, discussion about what to do in response about them * Delegates from the majority of US Colonies (at-least in America)
Peyton Randolph * Appointed president of the first continental congress
Suffolk Resolves was the first endorsement of the Continental Congress * Colonists to ignore intolerable acts, start raising a militia, and boycott British goods
Continental Association * Association to end imports and exports to and from Britain
Declaration of Rights and Grievances * To be sent to British Parliaments; listed personal rights of colonists, demanded the end to taxation without representation, and end the stationing of British troops without approval * Demanded repeal of the coercive acts * Explained that they would halt trade with Britain if they didn’t follow along with the declaration
Loyalists * The individuals who were against leaving the British Empire; mostly wealthy landowners and people who were weary of the future without Britain
Fort Pitt * Vital to the colonists for protection from British troops because they expanded beyond the west boundary * Once British troops withdrew, Virginia went in
John Murray, 4th earl of Dunmore (Governor of VA) * Ignored complaints from Virginia house of burgesses and the crown to arrange a militia to take over the fort * Was renamed Fort Dunmore
Shawnee and Delaware * Fought against the conquest of people from Virginia
Battle of Point Pleasant * Shawnee were quickly overpowered and forced to surrender to Murray’s militia
Treaty of Camp Charlotte * Brought protection of the Shawnee but forced them out of the land even further west
Minutemen * Militia of 20k men to protect the seizure of weapons by the British; the militia of Lexington
Redcoats * What the British were called; were sent to Lexington to confiscate supplies
Paul Revere * Famous rider warning of the redcoats coming to Lexington and Concord looking for the minutemen
Battles of Lexington and Concord * Burned a weapons munition in Lexington and the militia was forced to retreat * Concord munition depot was able to be defended, even though the British outnumbered the minutemen
General William Howe * Defended Boston from angry colonists inside Boston
Siege of Boston * The defending/fighting of Boston was soon called this
Fort Ticonderoga * Militia launched a sneak attack here
Led by Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold * Figured the artillery would be useful for future fights
Second Continental Congress * Created a Continental Army and the appointed general was George Washington
George Washington * Sent to Boston for the first fight, wanted to form the angry colonists into the Continental Army
Olive Branch Petition * Plea to the British government to deescalate the situation and help prevent war (last attempt to smooth things over before war) * Carried by William Penn, however the King wouldn’t even see him
Prohibitory Act * British passed act; Severed trade between England & the colonies, formally removed crown protection of Colonies, and vowed to take American vessels * America swore to arm their merchant vessels and respond in kind
Colonel William Prescott * Gathered militiamen to gather to protect the hills around Boston * Fortified around Breed’s Hill, even though it wasn’t the optimal position (original plan was Bunker Hill)
Battle of Bunker Hill * Took place on Breed’s Hill
Major General William Howe & Brigadier General Robert Pigot * Led the British in the battle of Bunker Hill
Charlestown * Was burned down in response after the battle
George Washington * Learned of the approach of several supplies & weapons on many ships for British troops and loyalists; sent 3 schooners to respond to the many ships * Washington sent a letter in response to this to the Continental Congress saying a need for a Continental Navy
Naval Committee * Was appointed after the approval for a Continental Navy
Privateers * Hired individuals for sacking British ships; had to follow rules but were basically mercenaries
Brigadier General Richard Montgomery * Continental Army officer who led a fight against Fort Saint Jean * Was a success and Major Charles Preston surrendered the fort
Montreal * Invaded by Ethan Allen and failed to take Montreal
Governor Guy Carleton (governor of Montreal) * Reinforced the invasion of Montreal after Allen’s failed attempt
Governor John Murray, 4th earl of Dunmore (of VA) * Dissolved the Colonial Assembly because of rumors that the assembly could overthrow the British government
First Virginia Convention * Established after the dissolution of the Colonial Assembly and basically declared war against Dunmore (kicked him out of office; he retreated to Norfolk, specifically the harbor)
Williamsburg * Marines were sent to take the powder reserves here by Dunmore * Caused an armed uprising which brought hate upon Dunmore, leading him to run away
Colonel William Woodford * Leader of defending Norfolk from Dunmore’s 7 privately owned ships, appointed by the Virginia Convention * Established Fort Murray to help defend the Great Bridge (the target of Dunmore) and took the bridge planks to prevent the advance of Dunmore
Kemp’s Landing * Colonial Militiamen were grouping here, and Dunmore heard of this and sent some troops to squash the militia * Militia set up an ambush, which failed because the militia fired too early than planned
Battle of Great Bridge * Woodford called for reinforcements while Dunmore setup fortifications to help survey the strength of Fort Murray * Shelled the fort while Dunmore setup planks that were originally taken by the militiamen * Battle lasted only 30 minutes, was a win for the Continental Army
Charles Town * Created a patriot government, but had many loyalists in this town * Cherokee were the decisive factor of support, which would help who would rule
Colonel Richard Richardson * Patriot leader who oversaw the taking supplies back from the loyalists to help win the favor of the Cherokee that Patriots and Loyalists were fighting over
Major William “Danger” Thomson * Patriot officer who chased loyalists who were heading into Cherokee territory
Battle of Great Cane Brake * Led by Major Danger, in a burning cane field, took over 100 loyalist prisoners * Known as the snow campaign in the wake of this battle
General/Governor Carleton * British General was ready to meet the Colonists because of how good Quebec’s fortifications * Successfully defended Quebec and even forced the colonists to retreat
Colonel Benedict Arnold * Led the attack on Quebec but was wounded, and command was later taken over by Daniel Morgan
This battle was known as the Battle of Quebec * By May 1776, the Patriots were completely pushed out of Canada