The war of independence begins

The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Fifty-five deputies from twelve colonies, with Georgia alone missing, drew up several important documents, Declaration of Rights being among them. Another document, the Association, called for a complete boycott of British goods. While Britain was determined to keep its control over colonies, the Americans would no longer tolerate what they regarded as the British tyranny.

John Adams and his cousin Samuel Adams, George Washington, and Patric Henry played an important part in the work of the assembly. The Congress worked out several petitions addressed to Parliament.

All these petitions were rejected. No concessions were granted. The colonies had to struggle for their rights.

In the spring of 1775, the armed conflict between Britain and its American colonies broke out. In April, the British commander in Boston sent a detachment of his troops to Concord. The soldiers were to seize a stock of arms held there by the colonists. On their way to Concord the British had to march through Lexington, where they were met by the armed members of the Massachusetts militia trying to stop them. In a short combat that followed eight Americans were killed. The British were victorious in that clash. They went on marching to Concord. However, having got there, they had to retreat under the attacks of the brave American patriots who defended the stock of arms.

Soon the colonists organized their militias into an army to struggle against the British. George Washington, an experienced soldier and the hero of the French and Indian War, was made the general.

Notes:

the War of Independence — Война за независимость

with Georgia alone missing — при отсутствии представи­теля одной лишь Джорджии

Declaration of Rights being among them — в том числе и "Декларация прав"

called for a complete boycott — призывала к полному бой­коту

John Adams — Джон Адаме (1735-1826)

Samuel Adams — Сэмюэл Адаме (1722-1803)

to reject — отвергать

detachment of his troops — подразделение его войск

were to seize a stock of arms — должны были захватить арсенал

combat — бой, схватка

clash — конфликт, столкновение

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

From twelve colonies, drew up several important documents, Declaration of Rights, to keep its control over colonies, a complete boycott of British goods.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

The First Continental Congress, Declaration of Rights, in April, the British commander in Boston, on their way to Concord, important part in the work of the assembly.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

The colonists, an army, an experienced soldier, the hero of the French and Indian War, to struggle for their rights.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Where did the First Continental Congress meet?

2. What documents did it draw up?

3. Who played an important part in the work of the assembly?

4. How did the armed conflict between Britain and its American colonies break out?

5. Who was made the general of the American army?