Independence declared

The Second Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. It proclaimed American determination to resist the British aggression. It was decided to form the Continental army, as Britain had a professional army of 50,000 men, and money to hire foreign soldiers. Hoping that Britain would give them liberty and independence, the colonists were getting ready to war.

In June 1775 the first major battle of the War of Independence took place at Bunker Hill, near Boston. The battle was won by the British. But the victory was a difficult one. The Americans fought heroically, and the British suffered heavy losses. Their losses were so heavy that they decided to withdraw from Boston.

After the battle of Bunker Hill any hope of reconciliation between colonies and the mother country faded.

A year later, on July 2, 1776, the colonies declared independence. On July 4, a formal document called the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Congress. George Washington became the first president of the USA.

Notes:

to convene — собирать

proclaimed American determination to resist — провоз­гласил о решимости американцев сопротивляться

suffered heavy losses — понесли тяжелые потери

any hope of reconciliation between colonies and the mother country faded — всякая надежда на примирение между колониями и метрополией улетучилась

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

American determination, the Continental army, a professional army of 50,000 men, money to hire foreign soldiers, the War of Independence.

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

The Second Continental Congress, after the battle of Bunker Hill, George Washington, a year later, on July 2, 1776, the first president.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

American determination, to form the Continental army, but the victory, the colonies declared independence, the first major battle.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What did the Second Continental Congress proclaim?

2. In what way were the colonists getting ready to war?

3. Who won the battle of Bunker Hill?

4. When did the colonies declare independence?

5. What document was adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776?