Liberty or Death: Patrick Henry, the Continental Army, and Bunker Hill

Liberty or Death: Patrick Henry, the Continental Army, and Bunker Hill

by Joseph Sharp

In the spring of 1775, American colonists began to prepare to defend themselves against the agressive military actions of the British.

​In this lesson, we'll review and introduce some of the early military conflicts of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Multiple Choice

In the spring of 1775, Patrick Henry gives a speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses. What is the title and memorable line from his speech?

• "Give me Liberty , or give me Death!"

• "I have a Dream"

• "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"

• "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!"

Poll

It's 1775, and the British have punished the colonies severely for actions like the Boston Tea Party.  There are tons of Redcoats in Boston, and some even staying in colonists homes, invading their privacy.  The British have the most powerful army in the world.  The colonists don't have much of a chance of winning.  WOULD YOU JOIN AN ARMY THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO WIN? (Talk about your options and mark an answer to this poll.)

• YES.  Sign me up!

• NO, I am not much of a soldier type.

• Maybe.

• No, I do not agree with the patriot resistance to the British policies.  I'm a loyalist.

Multiple Choice

What is the message of Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty, or give me Death " speech?

• the American colonies must fight to restore their rights

• the American colonies should try to peacefully resolve their issues with Britain

• the American colonies should stop causing trouble

• the American colonies are overly dramatic about this whole Revolution thing

Poll

The Battles of Lexington and Concord were inspired by Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty, or Give me Death” speech before the Virginia House of Burgesses.  He calls for the colonies to fight for their rights.

Do you agree with Patrick Henry that this is what the colonies must do?

• No, there is still a chance to resolve things peacefully

• No, nonviolence is always the best answer

• Yes, they have tried peacefully protest and it has failed to restore the colonies to their status quo

Multiple Choice

What Patriot led a "midnight ride" on the evening of April 18th to alert the Massachusetts country side of British troops moving to seize colonists weapons?

• John Hancock

• Benjamin Franklin

• Paul Revere

• Samuel Adams

Multiple Choice

What is the first battle of the Revolutionary War, also known as "the shot heard 'round the world?"

• the Battle of Alamance

• The Battles of Lexington and Concord

• The Battle of Gettysburg

• The Battle of New York

Poll

Who fired the first shot at the Battle of Lexington and Concord?

• THE BRITISH, AKA the Redcoats (stinkin' lobsterbacks)

• THE PATRIOTS, aka the Rebels

• I think the evidence is inconclusive

​(timeline) THE MECKLENBURG RESOLVES

​May 20, 1775- The Mecklenburg County Committee of Safety meets in Charlotte and the delegates craft a plan of government to replace local British colonial rule.

The document, in fact, declares independence from Great Britain for Mecklenburg County, NC.

Multiple Choice

The Mecklenburg Resolves appears on North Carolina's state flag?  Which yellow ribbon represents the Mecklenburg Resolves?

• April 12, 1776

• July 4, 1776

• May 20, 1775

• May 31, 1775

Multiple Choice

The Halifax resolves authorized NC delegates in the 2nd Continental Congress to vote for independence in Philadelphia, PA. What is the date for the Halifax Resloves?

• April 12, 1776

• July 4, 1776

• May 20, 1775

• May 31, 1775

​(timeline) The 2nd Continental Congress

​In May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress begins meeting in Philadelphia, PA.  It delegates include John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson to name a few.

Multiple Choice

The 2nd Continental Congress had some impressive figures and personalities. 

Who was the loudest, most talkative, most obnoxious and disliked personality from the Congress?

• Thomas Jefferson

• Benjamin Franklin

• John Hancock

• John Adams

Multiple Choice

After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the 2nd Continental Congress will authorize the creation of the American Continental Army.

WHO WILL THE CONGRESS SELECT THE LEAD THE CONTINENTAL ARMY?

• John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• Thomas McKean

Poll

The Congress creates a Continental Army to be commanded by George Washington.

The troops are poorly trained and mostly boys too young to be called men or old men too old to fight.

Would you have joined the Continental Army? 

TALK AT YOUR TABLE AND ANSWER THE POLL (be prepared to discuss)

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

• Am I allowed to do that?

​Talk at your table

​ The Revolution is largely about principles and ideas.  To join the Continental Army or to become involved in one of these Revolution protests generally mean that someone was motivated by an idea to the point of action.

What does it mean to “stand up for something?”

Multiple Choice

In June of 1775, Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen and the "Green Mountain Boys" secure a victory over the British as what fort in eastern New York?

• Fort Ticonderoga

• Fart Smelling

• Fort Wanabe

• Fort Imgonnagonow

​(timeline) The Battle of Bunker Hill

​June 1775: While defending Boston from British invasion, American troops position themselves on Breed’s Hill.

• Twice, the American troops defend the hill, but on the British third advance, the Americans are overwhelmed, having run out of ammunition

The Battle proves the Americans can fight bravely, but the British will be difficult to defeat.

Multiple Select

THE OLIVE BRANCH PETITION

Congress also issues the Olive Branch Petition, asking King George to insure peace and to return the colonies to their former state of relations.

“Once vigorous measures appear to be the only means left of bringing the Americans to a due submission to the mother country, the colonies will submit.”      - King George III

WHAT IS KING GEORGE'S REACTION TO THE OLIVE BRANCH PETITION?

• King George will hire German mercenaries, Hessians, to go fight the Americans

• King George will not even read the petition

• King George rejects the petition

• King George accepts the petition and introduces plans to make America a full partner in the British empire

​(timeline) The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

​February 27, 1776 In a clever plan, the Patriots use guerilla warfare and sabotage a bridge at a site near Wilmington. The Patriot victory over Scottish Loyalists helps to secure NC from British invasion early in the war.

​Although the Patriots have begun to fight the British army, the idea of independence has not yet taken hold

​As we move forward in our study, we will see the last events that lead to the colonists decision to break away from Great Britain to create a new nation.