Lesson 3: Taking Up Arms

Key Idea

A tense calm was shattered when Parliament gave the British East India Company total control over the colonial tea trade. Although this made tea cheaper, many colonists saw it as a trap to make them accept Parliament's right to tax them.

In response, a group of Bostonians led by Sam Adams took matters into their own hands. On the night of December 16, 1773, they boarded three ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This famous act of protest destroyed valuable property and directly challenged British rule.

Key Idea

In response to Britain's harsh policies, leaders from twelve colonies gathered in Philadelphia in 1774. This meeting, known as the First Continental Congress, marked a major step toward colonial unity. The delegates were determined to challenge British authority together.

The Congress called for a widespread boycott of British goods to pressure Parliament. It also endorsed the Suffolk Resolves, a bold declaration from Massachusetts. These resolves stated that the Coercive Acts were illegal and encouraged colonists to form militias and arm themselves for protection.

Key Idea

In April 1775, British troops marched from Boston to seize a stockpile of colonial weapons hidden in Concord. Warned by riders like Paul Revere, volunteer soldiers called minutemen gathered to stop them.

The two sides met at Lexington, where a tense standoff exploded into gunfire. This "shot heard 'round the world" marked the start of the American Revolution. The fighting continued as the British retreated to Boston, facing attacks from colonists along the way.

Key Idea

When the Second Continental Congress met in 1775, colonial leaders were divided. Many still hoped to repair their relationship with Great Britain. As a final attempt at a peaceful resolution, the Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, pledging loyalty and asking him to protect their rights.

At the same time, the delegates prepared for a potential war. They established the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander. This dual strategy showed that while the colonists preferred peace, they were ready to fight for their rights if necessary.