The American Revolutionary War was a long and drawn-out conflict that pitted the colonies of British America against the British Empire. The first shots of the war were fired on April 19th, 1775, at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, a clash between British troops and colonial militia. The phrase “If they mean to have a war, let it begin here!” is often used to describe the mood of the colonists at the time.
Prelude to War
In the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, tensions between the colonists and the British had been escalating. The colonists had been protesting British taxes and policies, and the British had responded with increased military presence in the colonies. This led to a series of clashes between the colonists and the British, culminating in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. On April 19th, 1775, a force of British troops marched from Boston to the towns of Lexington and Concord with the intention of seizing arms and supplies from the colonists. When they arrived in Lexington, they were met by a group of colonial militia who were determined to defend their town. The British demanded that the colonists lay down their arms, but the colonists refused.
The colonists outnumbered the British, and they were determined to fight for their freedom. The phrase “If they mean to have a war, let it begin here!” is often used to describe the colonists’ mood. The battle lasted for several hours, with the British eventually retreating back to Boston. The Battle of Lexington and Concord marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. It was the first major battle between the British and the colonists, and it set the tone for the rest of the war. The phrase “If they mean to have a war, let it begin here!” is a powerful reminder of the courage and determination of the colonists in the face of overwhelming odds. The Battle of Lexington and Concord was a crucial turning point in the fight for American independence.
On April 19th, 1775 the American Revolutionary War erupted with the Battle of Lexington and Concord when the British soldiers marched from Boston to nearby Lexington and Concord to confiscate weapons and arrest two of the most prominent leaders of the movement – John Hancock and Samuel Adams. The British forces had underestimated the size and strength of the recently formed American militia and were soon met with hostile fire from the Patriots.
When Captain Parker heard that the British soldiers were coming, he yelled the now famous phrase, “If they mean to have a war, let it begin here!” As the British soldiers approached, he gathered his militia of 77 men and women around him and took a stance against the almost 1,000 British regular soldiers. The Americans held their ground and continued to fire at the British, even after their ammunition had run out. This show of resistance was extremely impressive and morally boosted the American effort.
Although the Americans were eventually forced to retreat, they inflicted significant casualties on the British army and bought precious time to alert the surrounding colonies of the British advance. This allowed the city of Boston to prepare and the Battle of Bunker Hill began on the same day, resulting in an even greater British loss.
Following the battles of Lexington and Concord, the phrase “If they mean to have war, let it begin here,” became a rallying cry for all Patriots and united the colonies who, until then, had been divided in their opinions regarding the war. The Patriots’ brave stance at Lexington and Concord emboldened and inspired them to take up arms with greater resolution and determination.
It was at the Battle of Lexington and Concord that the American Revolution truly began. The Patriots had managed to gain a major advantage and changed the tone of the war, proving they could stand up to a powerful enemy and arguably setting the course of American independence. As John Adams later stated “What a glorious morning this is!”