Redcoats: Shot Heard Around The World

The first battle that caused the Revolutionary War took place at lexington, Massachusetts on April 19th, 1775. Which side fired first is unknown. It could have been british or colonist, but from what we know about the event, the most logical answer would be the colonist fired first. Even though there are evidence for both sides of the story, evidence that proves colonist shot first is most reasonable and understandable. There are even more personal opinions that could persuade most people that they fired first. Also they had every right to do so.

The next reason colonists claimed their independence from britain was peace. This happen because the colonists were paying soldiers to protect but they were doing nothing. This was an idea that was by the king. The colonist did not agree and protested. According to Declaration of independence “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us”(t.Jefferson,44). This describes the red coats did nothing and shot at people that hated them.

The war seemed to separate the colonists into three separate groups. Ones that were loyal to Britain, which were called “loyalists”. Most loyalists had “business ties” with Britain and saw being on Britain’s side of the war as being “defenders”. While other loyalists despised those that rebelled and assumed their reason to rebel was to obtain more money from the empire. The second group was with George Washington called the “Patriots”, who were fighting for the freedom from Britain, and the third group were people that were trying to go about their lives and not get involved in the war. Though slaves were asked to participate in the war, most went to Britain’s side in exchange for freedom. In 1775, Washington and his army win the battle at Saratoga and this ultimately wins over France as an

The first shots of the Revolution rang out April 19 1775 at Lexington green. Reports say the British fired first killing eight patriots. I believe these reports to be true. There was a lot of controversy surrounding this, since none of us were there, no one can be certain on who fired first. Evidence shows the British fired first. I think based on the evidence provided it was very easy to see the British were the first to fire the shot of the revolution.

Similar to the way that the colonial and British perspectives greatly varied for the Boston Massacre, their opinions are once again vastly different for the Battles of Lexington and Concord. In this event as well, both parties attempt to place the blame on the other which is not unusual due the nature of the sources. However, this highlights the large amount of bias evident in all of the accounts. For the colonial perspective, there are two statements, each from a member of a colonial militia that fought during the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Both of these sources place the blame on the British soldiers and claim that the British fired first, killing several colonists. One account, from the Battle of North Bridge, claims that the colonists were ordered to hold their fire and that they didn’t fire until the British opened fire upon them. The other account, from soldier who fought during the skirmish at the Lexington Green, states that the colonists did not even get a single shot off, at least not before the soldier whose account this is was wounded. This source also claims that the British commanding officers were yelling at and insulting the colonists as their ranks closed on the milita. Both these sources are very similar to the colonial perspectives of the Boston Massacre because they all place the blame on the British soldiers and attempt to make themselves appear as the victims.

Many colonists were loyal supporters of the French and Indian War and when the war came to the forefront, they wanted nothing more than to fight alongside the British Army. The two shared many of the same ideals and values

Though the Shot Heard 'Round the World began the Battle of Lexington, the Shot Heard 'Round the World was caused by the Boston Tea Party. Samuel Adams led the Sons of Liberty in a rebellion against the Stamp Act. They disguised themselves as Indians and dumped tons of

The soldiers lined up, facing the crowd to try and dissolve the problem but the people were not backing down. Bostonians continued to taut the soldiers, yelling at them to fire their weapons. Not long after, shots were fired killing five Bostonians and wounding six others. The big question still unanswered today is whether or not Captain Preston yelled for the soldiers to fire or not.

Americans protected their own country against the conquering British. Napoleon was exiled to Elba later and America was alone to face the war while more red coats went to Canada

On an “unremarkably clear and pleasant” day in April 19, 1775, the shot that was said to had been able to be heard around the world was fired. (A Guide to Battles) This began the battles in which we know as Lexington and Concord, and the war we know as the Glorious/American revolution. It was fought between the British whom had feared American retaliation for some time, and the American Colonies whom were tired of feeling oppressed by the British. General Thomas Gage advised his British superiors to prepare for war, but this advice was refused and when the time finally came, they were not prepared for the fight at hand. (History of AM Rev) Many events, rules, and regulations helped to lead up to the retaliation of the Americans.

Who fired first in the historical Battle of Lexington? Well there is no right answer history has shown people have come up with theses trying to prove what had happened but we just really don’t know. But I think I have found the the answer. I believe the colonist fired first because they have a history of antagonizing the british in some situation’s it has turned deadly. Also on many accounts of the events they had been found guilty of firing first.My reasons to support my thesis are from British Lieutenant John Barker’s personal diary of the day of the event and George Leonard a colonist who wrote to British general to tell him what he experienced. My rebuttal sources are Simon Winship’s official deposition in which he claims that the

The battle happened in Lexington, Massachusetts. The battle took place on April 22, 1775. The shot was a shot that was heard around the whole world. Either the British or the Colonist fired the shot first. Who do you think fired the shot first colonist or British. Because It says “ The country people shot so the soldiers shot back and killed almost all of them”. I think the British fired first who do you think did?

In the period of time before the United States became the young country it is today, in order to secure and protect established borders, the colonists were in need of the assistance of the standing army of King George, the British Red Coats. As soon as the colonists decided to revolt excessive taxation and other mandates being imposed on towns and states,

The British where the first to fire the shot. “A redcoat soldier raised his musket, leveled it at Father, and fired.” This quote from document C indicates the British shot first. “He desired us to mind our places which we did when they gave us a fire.” This quote indicates that the Americans had orders to stand their ground and not fire unless the British fired first. Well, an entire war broke out and since the Americans weren’t supposed to fire the British had to be the ones to fire. “Whereby they killed eight and wounded several others; that the regulars continued their fire until those of said company, who were neither killed nor wounded, had made their escape.” Eight of the colonists were killed but on the other hand only a few people

I think that the colonists fired first because they felt threatened.The redcoats were approaching them, and they got scared and maybe one fired. "...concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops(if they should approach)unless they should insult or molest us; and upon their sudden Approach, I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse, and not to fire:-Immediately said troops made their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon, and killed eight of our party..."(Resource Sheet #1)This shows how maybe the colonists fired because they felt threatened by the soldiers.I also think that Resource Sheet #2 is a lie because it's the only one out of the 5 that says anything remotely like it.The text states, "...who rode up to us, mounted and armed, each having a pistol in his hand, and after putting pistols to our breasts, and seizing the bridles of our horses, they swore, that if we stirred another step, we should all be dead men, upon which we surrendered ourselves.They detained us until Two o'clock the next morning, in which they searched and greatly abused us..."(Resource Sheet #2)I also think that the last resource isn't entirely true.The text states,"...she was surprised by the firing of the king's troops and our people, on their return from Concord. She being weak and unable to go out of her house, in order to secure herself and family, they all retired into the kitchen, in the back part of the house. She soon found the house surrounded with the