Question

Use your skill at making inferences to determine the order of a set of events in a primary source. The source is an excerpt from a 1775 statement by James Barrett, Colonel of the Concord Militia, about the Battle at North Bridge in Massachusetts:

I ordered said militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the King’s troops unless they were first fired upon. We advanced near said Bridge, when the said troops fired upon our militia and killed two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others, which was the first firing of guns in the town of Concord. My detachment then returned fire, which killed and wounded several of the King’s soldiers.

Arrange the following events in order.
50 PTS!!!!

Answer 1

1. British troops arrive in the American colonies.

In response to increased agitation for independence amongst the American colonies, the British government sent British troops the the American colonies to quell rebellion.

2. Colonial militia takes positions in Massachusetts.

When the British arrived they found the the colonial militia had already taken up positions in Massachusetts.

3. British troops fire upon the colonial militia.

In a moment of confusion, the British fired on the militia and killed some men as a result.

4. The colonial militia fire upon the British troops.

The colonial militia then returned fire on the British and killed and wounded some of them.

5. War between the British and American colonies officially begins.

Thus began the American revolution.