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Contributor: Nathan Murphy. Lesson ID: 13810
Are you ready to explore history's turning point? Discover how the harsh Intolerable Acts united the American colonies, leading to the first shot of the Revolution!
Imagine your school’s principal suddenly banned all your favorite activities — no sports, no music, no hanging out with friends.
Back in 1774, the American colonies faced something similar with the Intolerable Acts, harsh laws imposed by the British. But instead of backing down, the colonies did something incredible: they came together as one united front.
Watch the following video to see how these acts united the colonies in a way they had not been before.
This united spirit sparked a revolution, leading to the famous "shot heard 'round the world."
Dive into how these Acts turned thirteen separate colonies into a powerful team ready to fight for freedom!
The Intolerable Acts
In 1774, the British Parliament hit the American colonies with a series of harsh laws called the Intolerable Acts.
These acts were meant to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, but they scared all the colonies. Everyone realized Parliament could shut down any port or town at any time!
Think about the Southern colonies, like South Carolina. Their economy depended on exporting tobacco to Europe, and if their ports closed, they'd be in big trouble.
First Continental Congress
Delegates from every colony met in 1774 in response to the Intolerable Acts. Before this, people considered themselves Virginians or South Carolinians, not Americans.
They crafted a plan at this meeting to fight British oppression and prevent the Intolerable Acts from spreading. They decided to stop buying British goods until Britain backed down.
As you watch the video below, pay attention to how these colonists' identities evolved and what plan they made after two months of intense discussion.
The Shot Heard Round the World
Militias were soon formed to resist British military rule. Unlike the well-prepared British army, these militias comprised everyday citizens with little training.
However, Massachusetts took it a step further and created the Minutemen, a group of soldiers who trained constantly and could be ready at a minute's notice.
Watch the video below to learn more about these special soldiers and their secret plans
The Minutemen were storing weapons in Concord, and the British knew it. They had a network of riders, including Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott, to warn them if the British made a move.
On the night of the famous ride, 500 militia faced the British on their way to Concord, leading to the "shot heard round the world" and the start of the American Revolution in 1775.
Watch the short video below on the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Second Continental Congress
After the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress met to discuss the situation.
Most delegates didn't want independence yet. They just wanted more autonomy from Britain. Benjamin Franklin disagreed.
The following video explores what the Founding Fathers thought about independence.
Continue to the Got It? section to review everything that led up to this moment and decide if an all-out war was inevitable.
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