Notes for the 2/8 or 2/9 Social Studies Test

Episode #4
Liberty or Death
Special Guest -- Patrick Henry
Having traveled to Virginia to buy a new press, Moses sees his brother Cato about to be sold into slavery, and attempts to stop it, while the kids hear that Patrick Henry is about to rally the southern patriots.

Moses travels with others to the South and must carry proof of him being free the entire time.   Important under the stress that free African-Americans had to endure when leaving non enlightened colonies.
As depicted in the movie, slaves were sold in auctions and they were thought of as property and less than human.  
Also as in Moses’ family, often slave families were broken apart for economic or business purposes.  
Patrick Henry “Give me liberty or give me death!”  and also "If this be treason, make the most of it."   His speeches helped inspire Virginia and other southern states to join Massachusetts and begin putting a militia together.  

http://www.revolutionarywaranimated.com/LexingtonAnimation.html
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/amer_hist_survey/get_chapter_group.htm?cin=2&rg=animations&at=animated_history&var=animated_history

Episode #5
Midnight Ride
Special Guest -- Paul Revere
James and Sarah travel to Boston with a message from the Mechanics, reconnect with Dr. Warren, and join Paul Revere and William Dawes on their midnight ride

We originally think the British army is moving from Boston into New York.   However they will move to Concord and Lexington.  

Paul Revere and Dawes work will ensure that the colonists can keep their supply of artillery.

Episode #6
The Shot Heard Round the World
James and Sarah witness the Battles of Lexington and Concord, where Sarah's cousin Tom is killed
Special guest:  John Parker

The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.  

Minute Men = militia = colonial soldiers
Regulars = British soldier  = Redcoats

At Lexington Redcoats or Minute Men may have fired the first shots, however the militia was outnumbered and retreated back to Concord.   Not really a “battle” since colonists were few and they did not wish to engage.  

The first real battle took place in Concord and militia surprised and more than held their own against the professional British soldiers.   As far the colonies are concerned this is the beginning of the War, however keep in mind the Declaration of Independence would not be written for another year.  

Episode 7
Green Mountain Boys
James and Sarah meet up with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys in Vermont, watch them drive away a portly landowner, then stow away with Allen and Benedict Arnold when they capture Fort Ticonderoga
Special Guest:  Ethan Allen

With the capture of for Ticonderoga, the Patriot forces obtained a large supply of cannons and other ammunition.   These cannons would help the colonies retake the Boston Harbor.  .

Ethan Allen lead a group of local militia that was called the Green Mountain Boys.  While Benedict Arnold lead a militia of troops on orders from Colony of Massachusetts's.    Both Allen and Arnold felt they should be the ultimate leader of these combined forces when they overtook the British at Fort Ticonderoga.  Allen being more charismatic would receive a large share of the accolades and respect with colonists at the time.  This “slight” would be the first of Arnold’s disses by the colonial military.


Episode 8
The Second Continental Congress
A British spy urges James and Henri to find out what's going on in the closed sessions of the Second Continental Congress. Meanwhile, Sarah and Moses schmooze George Washington, a delegate to the Congress and the newly-chosen general of the Continental Army
Special Guest:  John Hancock

2nd Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from the 13 Colonies.  Delegates is similar to a representative, someone of stature to represent the people of that particular colony.  This mtg  takes place on May  10, 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania soon after the battle at Concord.  

John Hancock was the Bill Gates of the 1770’s.  He was the wealthiest colonist on the side of the Patriots.  In “old world” thought, it would have been assumed the wealthiest (i.e. the smartest) person would be elected the leader of the new army.  

However a move the symbolized that the colonies, eventually early America, would think different, the delegates chose the person most qualified to be the ultimate leader, George Washington.  Talent won out over money or family reputation.  

In the cartoon, George Washington touches on one of the issues that angered the colonial rich.  When the door falls off the cart he says, “The British believe the colonies are their dumping ground.”  Colonists w/ money felt that the British purposely sold them unwanted or outdated items at a premium price since we were just lowly unrespectable colonists.  

2nd Continental Congress (2CC) was not a big “party” there much arguing.  Some colonies more inclined to attack and declare war.  While some colonies, many in the south, were less inclined to war with our mother country.   However this 2CC would eventually be the group that will create the Declaration of Independence and try to assist George Washington in his war efforts.