Final answer:
General Thomas Gage aimed to disarm the rebels and arrest leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock by sending troops to Concord on April 19th, 1775. He was only partly successful because the munitions had been moved, and the leaders escaped. This marked the start of the American Revolutionary War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Objectives of Thomas Gage on April 19th, 1775
General Thomas Gage, the British military commander in Massachusetts, had two main objectives when he sent 700 troops to Concord on April 19th, 1775. The first objective was to disarm the colonial rebels by seizing their stockpiles of weapons and gunpowder in Concord. The second objective was to arrest the rebel leaders, namely Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Gage, who was sympathetic to the American cause due to personal ties, aimed to carry out his orders from the British Crown cautiously to avoid unnecessary provocation.
Did Gage Accomplish His Objectives?
General Gage's effort to keep the mission secret was undermined by advance warning to the colonies. While his troops did reach Concord, they found that most of the munitions had been relocated. Furthermore, Adams and Hancock had slipped away from Boston prior to the British arrival. The British troops faced resistance in Lexington and were ultimately forced to retreat from Concord, facing ongoing attacks as they returned to Boston. Gage's objectives were thus only partially met and, at a high cost, resulted in the beginning of open armed conflict between the colonies and Britain.
Consequences Following the Engagement
The battles at Lexington and Concord had significant repercussions. Not only did Gage fail to secure the munitions and arrest the key figures, but his troops also suffered significant casualties during their retreat. The colonists, galvanized by the British assault, increased their military efforts, leading to a broader insurrection against British control and trapping Gage and his troops in Boston. This marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, with the confrontations at Lexington and Concord being the initial spark that ignited the colonists' fight for independence.