The Battle of Concord



The Battle of Concord

Between 1754 and 1763 the American militia fought side by side with the British in a series of battles? known as the French and Indian War. These costly battles left the British government in debt; this caused their Parliament to impose a series of taxes on the Colonies. The Colonists thinking it to be unreasonable because they were being taxed without representation. This complaint stalk many battles known as the American Revolution.

By the spring of 1775? the American Colonies were in a state of anxiety. The British care for the people of Boston poorly and the word of Revolution spread quickly. Opposed to England's polices? the people of Massachusetts formed resistance groups? such as Sons and Daughters of Liberty. These groups boycotted taxed goods and started organized rebellions.

Up and down the east cost the settlers realized that war with England was quite probable. Because of the fear of war? the soldiers trained for four days a week. This made them stronger than the British regulars. Towns would coordinate small groups of militias to form a larger group? thus supporting one another. For years there had been violent clashes between the British authorities and outraged colonist. The Boston Massacre of 1770 and the Boston Tea Party of 1773 were vivid reminders of their conflict.

The leaders of Massachusetts? Samuel Adams? John Hancock and Joseph Warren wanted Americans to be seen as victims of British violence? not the cause of it. They wanted Britain to fire the first shot if they're where to be a revolt.

General Thomas Gage? commander of all British troops in North America? established his head quarters in Boston. He felt controlling the colonist gunpowder could stop the revolution. The British took Boston's gunpowder on September 1? 1774.

The Colonist decided they would not be surprised attacked again. Paul Revere was one of thirty riders who formed a committee to watch the movement of British soldiers. When they were alarmed of British tactics? men on horsebacks rode off to warn of the Patriots?

Revere received reports that the British were heading for Concord. On April 18? 1775? they needed to report this news to Samuel Adams. The next morning Paul Revere and William Dawers would try to get the news through. They both arrived in Lexington around midnight Revere and Dawer's news soon spread quickly through the town. John Parker leading the militia hurried to the ...