Patrick Henry (1736-1799) & The Start of the American Revolution PDF

## Patrick Henry (1736-1799) Henry was one of the first members of the Virginia House of Burgesses to justify the independence of the colonies. His ability to speak inspired many colonists. In a debate about whether the colony of Virginia should form a militia, he said: "Give me liberty or give m...

## Patrick Henry (1736-1799) Henry was one of the first members of the Virginia House of Burgesses to justify the independence of the colonies. His ability to speak inspired many colonists. In a debate about whether the colony of Virginia should form a militia, he said: "Give me liberty or give me death!" His stirring cry gave voice to the independence movement. ## Comienzan los combates * **What were the important battles of Lexington and Concord?** * Many colonists believed that if the war with Britain started, it would happen in New England. * The militias in Massachusetts practiced, built ammunition, and stored weapons. Some were called _minutemen_, militiamen who boasted that they could be ready in a minute. * During the winter of 1774-1775, a British officer stationed in Boston wrote in his journal: > *"It is evident that the people are preparing to resist. They are resorting to all possible means to provide themselves with arms."*  - _From Diary of Frederick Mackenzie, 1775_ ## Great Britain Sends Troops * The British also prepared for battle. King George III told Parliament that the New England colonies were in "a state of rebellion" and that "force must decide" who would control North America. * In April 1775, there were thousands of British soldiers in and around Boston, and more were on their way. British General Thomas Gage was ordered to seize militia weapons from Massachusetts and arrest the leaders. * Gage found out that the militia was storing ammunition in Concord, a town about 20 miles northwest of Boston. He ordered 700 soldiers, under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, to go to Concord *"where they must seize and destroy all the artillery and the munitions which they may meet with."* ## Advance of the British * On the night of April 18, 1775, while colonial leader Dr. Joseph Warren was walking around Boston to see if anything unusual was happening, he saw British troops marching out of the city. * Warren alerted Paul Revere and William Dawes, members of the _Sons of Liberty_. They rode to Lexington, a town east of Concord, to warn people that the British were coming. * Revere galloped across country, shouting that the troops were coming. When Samuel Adams heard the news, he said, "What a glorious morning this is!" He was ready for battle. * A British patrol captured Revere, but Dawes escaped, and another rider, Samuel Prescott, alerted the patriots.