lexington and concord

Question 1

what did general gage find

Answer 1

• sent spies through MA and found stockpiled weapons in Salem, MA.
• when he tried to retrieve these, he was sent away by the colonists, forced to withdraw- the colonists showed open resistance to the british

Question 2

what was sent to gage

Answer 2

• dartmouth sent a letter to gage on 14th april telling him to arrest rebel leaders and authorised him to use force to disarm the population

Question 3

timeline of events

Answer 3

• 18th April- about 700 british army soldiers were sent from boston under Colonel Smith to Concord (26km away) to seize arms and arrest leaders
• militiamen were informed by paul revere of the british plans- revere was a member of boston committee of safety
• 19th april- shots were fired.

Question 4

summarise what happened in the battle

Answer 4

• british troops were blocked by 70 minutemen at Lexington
• shots were fired, 8 colonists were killed.
• british pushed on to concord, but encountered a larger militia, heavy exchange of fire.
• british failed to arrest rebel leaders and Smiths troops returned to boston.
• smiths troops assailed by americans, but a relief force from Lord Percy prevented smith from having to surrender- they held the militiamen at bay at lexington.

Question 5

how many casualties were there in lexington and concord

Answer 5

by the time that british troops had retreated to boston, there had been 273 casualties

americans lost 92 men

Question 6

what happened in late april

Answer 6

• 20,000 new england militiamen besieged boston

Question 7

american success or british success?

Answer 7

american success

Question 8

why was it significant?

Answer 8

battle of L&C resulted in a colonial victory and marked the start of the revolutionary war.
it was the first military engagement between the colonies and britain, transforming from political dispute into a military struggle. overall, L&C galvanised military preparations throughout the colonies, meaning NY now supported MA. conservative pennsylvania even voted to raise 4300 men.

Question 9

what else was seized as a result of L&C

Answer 9

• militiamen (led by Benedict Arnold) seized Fort Ticonderoga
• Crown point also fell two days later, garrisoned by 9 men
• rendered the british position untenable#, withdrew by sea from Boston in march 1776

Question 10

why was L&C important for americans in fighting the british

Answer 10

• it was seen that the british started lexington- there was anger at the british for starting lexington
• the americans now feel more confident in figthing
• galvanised opposition- NY now supported MA, more supported cause
• led to the 2nd continental congress
• proved colonial militias could defeat british army
• more militias were formed- eg in pennsylvania- the idea of full independence- once considered extreme, started gaining traction

Question 11

when was L&C

Answer 11

april 1775