War History Summary 5 - American Revolutionary War 2: Lexington and Concord, The Start of the War

The British government strengthened its military presence, particularly in Massachusetts, to suppress the colonial resistance. In April 1775, British troops marched to Concord to seize weapons and ammunition stored by the colonial militia. However, the British forces clashed with the colonial militia in Lexington, and an armed conflict began with the outbreak of gunfire. Although the British advanced to Concord, they suffered heavy casualties from attacks by the colonial militia on their return. This event is considered the start of the American Revolutionary War. Afterward, colonial militias gathered around Boston, surrounding the British forces, and both sides entered into full-scale war. In June of the same year, the Battle of Bunker Hill took place, where the British army gained control of the battlefield but sustained significant losses. The Continental Congress appointed George Washington as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, attempting to unify the armies of the various colonies under a single command structure.