History’s Mysteries: The Shot Heard ’Round the World
Sarah McLaughlin
Angelo Rodriguez High School
Lesson Rationale: The purpose of this lesson is to give Advanced Placement United States history students practice in
analyzing primary source material. Students will also construct thesis statements regarding the debate about who fired
first at Lexington and Concord. They will read actual accounts of soldiers involved in the conflict, and will gather
evidence in support of their position on the events of April 19, 1775.
Desired Results
Content Standards:
National Standards for History Basic Edition
Standard 2A
The student understands the roots of representative government and how political rights were defined. Explain the social,
economic, and political tensions that led to violent conflicts between the colonists and their governments. [Examine the influence
of ideas]
Standard 1A
The student understands the causes of the American Revolution.
Reconstruct the chronology of the critical events leading to the outbreak of armed conflict between the American colonies and
England. [Establish temporal order]
Standard 1A
The student understands the causes of the American Revolution.
Reconstruct the arguments among patriots and loyalists about independence and draw conclusions about how the decision to
declare independence was reached. [Consider multiple perspectives]
Advanced Placement United States History Topic Outline
Topic 3: Colonial Nor th Amer ica, 1690–1754
Colonial governments and imperial policy in British North America
Topic 4: The Amer ican Revolutionar y Er a, 1754–1789
The Imperial Crisis and resistance to Britain
Understandings/goals
Students will understand that:
› Revolutionary activity can exist in thought long before it exists in deed.
› The patriots and the British sought a peaceful end to hostility, but ultimately it was impossible.
› Some of history’s mysteries will likely remain unsolved, though conjectures can and should be made.
› Primary sources are useful tools for understanding multiple perspectives on the same event.
Essential Question(s):
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What social, economic and political tensions led to violent conflicts between American colonists and Great Britain?
Why did Boston endure the most activity from British politicians and troops?
Why was Boston the center of colonial insurgency?
To what extent were the American colonies united on the eve of the Revolution?
Student objectives (outcomes):
Students will be able to:
› Make inferences after reading primary source material.
› Recognize colonists’ movement from passive to open rebellion.
Assessment Evidence
Performance Task(s):
› Students analyze nine primary source documents. They create INFO/INFER t-charts to deconstruct the documents.
› After reading documents they will report conclusions and defend their thesis statements.
Other Evidence:
› Informal class vote on who fired the first shot. Continuum of how united colonists were on eve of revolution. Formal DBQ
response at end of unit.
Learning Plan
Learning Activities:
› Students will read excerpt from “Letter Written by a Philadelphia Woman,” 1776 and answer the following in their journal: is this a
reliable primary source? Why/why not?
› Teacher will lead brief discussion on journal topic and use of primary sources
› Teacher will explain that class will be playing role of historical sleuth today. Will then show “School House Rocks” Paul Revere clip as
anticipatory set
› Teacher will hand out History’s Mysteries materials: primary sources, fact sheet, questions
› Students will read & analyze documents, creating INFO/INFER t-charts for each.
› Based on evidence gathered and prior knowledge, students will construct a thesis statement for question 1: Who Fired the Shot heard
’Round the World?
› Students will then meet in groups to discuss question 1, and teacher will take poll of class to determine “blame.”
› Teacher will lead whole-class discussion on class’s findings.
› For homework, students will answer questions 2-5 in preparation for end of unit DBQ.
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES PRIMARY SOURCES
The Shot Heard ’Round the World
The first major armed conflict of the Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775. Although colonists were still hopeful
of British reconciliation without bloodshed, they had also taken the precaution of organizing units of militia, the Minutemen,
to be ready to fight at a moment’s notice. In the town of Concord, they had begun to stockpile munitions. On the night of April
18, nearly 800 British soldiers set out from Boston for Concord under orders from General Thomas Gage to seize these
military stores from angry Whigs.
The British planned to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, two of the patriots. However, colonists were warned of
the plan in advance. Paul Revere and William Dawes then made their famous midnight ride to warn of the British approach.
Advance British units, under the command of Major John Pitcairn, reached Lexington at dawn. A group of about seventy
armed townsmen gathered on the town common. The Minutemen were ordered to disperse, and the British troops were ordered
to hold their fire but shooting broke out. So who fired that fateful first shot? The fighting on the green left 8 Americans dead,
and 10 wounded. The rest scattered, and the British proceeded to Concord, where they went about destroying whatever arms
and ammunition they could find. As the Redcoats began their retreat to Boston, Minutemen, militia and townspeople fired on
them. This first encounter strengthened the colonists’ resolve to physically defend their lives and their freedom.
As we investigate the origin of the Shot Heard ’Round the World, create an info/infer chart for each primary source.
Use the primary sources, Fact Sheet & your outside knowledge to answer the questions that follow.
1. MAJOR PITCAIRN’S REPLY TO GENERAL GAGE
Sir, As you are anxious to know the particulars that happened near and at Lexington in the 19th Inst agreeable to your desire, I
will in as concise a manner as possible state the facts, for my time at present is so much employed, as to prevent a more
particular narrative of the occurrences of that day. Six companies of Light Infantry were detached by Lt Colo Smith to take
possession of two bridges on the other side of Concord, near three in the Morning, when we were advanced within about two
miles of Lexington, intelligence was received that about 500 men in arms were assembled, determined to oppose the Kings
troops, and retard them in their march. On this intelligence, I mounted my horse, and galloped up to the six Light Companies.
When I arrived at the head of the advance Company, two officers came and informed me, that a man of the rebels advanced
from those that were assembled, had presented his musket and attempted to shoot them, but the piece flashed in the pan.
On this I gave directions to the troops to move forward, but on no account to fire, or even attempt it without orders; when I
arrived at the end of the Village, I observed drawn up upon a Green near 200 rebels; when I came within about 100 yards of
them, they began to file off towards some stone walls on our right flank. The Light Infantry, observing this, ran after them. I
instantly called to the soldiers not to fire, but surround and disarm them, and after several repetitions of those positive orders
to the men, not to fire, etc. some of the rebels who had jumped over the wall fired four or five shots at the soldiers, which
wounded a man of the Tenth and my horse was wounded in two places, from some quarter or other, and at the same time
several shots were fired from a meeting house on our left. Upon this, without any order or regularity, the Light Infantry began
a scattered fire, and continued in that situation for some little time, contrary to the repeated orders both of me and the
officers that were present. It will be needless to mention what happened after, as I suppose Colo Smith hath given a particular
account of it.
2. SALEM GAZZETTE, APRIL 25, 1775
…the Commanding Officer accosted the Militia in words to this effect: “disperse, you rebels—throw down your arms and
disperse;” upon which some of the Troops huzzaed, and immediately one or two officers discharged their pistols, which were
instantaneously followed by the firing of four or five of the soldiers…
…But the savage barbarity exercised upon the bodies of our unfortunate brethren who fell, is incredible; not content with
shooting down the unarmed, aged and infirm, they disregarded the cries of the wounded, killing them without mercy, and
mangling their bodies in the most shocking manner.
3. LONDON GAZZETTE JUNE 10, 1775
…who upon their arrival at Lexington, found a body of the country people under arms, on a green close to the road; and upon
the King’s Troops marching up to them, in order to inquire the reason for being so assembled, they went off in great
confusion, and several guns were fired upon the King’s Troops from behind a stonewall…
4. COLONEL ISAAC MERRILL
[T]his Day I have received intelligence that the ministerial troops under the Command of general Gage did Last evening march
out of Boston and marched to Lexington & there Killed a number of our American Soldiers & thence proceed[ed] to Concord
Killing and Destroying our men and interest. These [orders] are therefore to Order you forthwith to Mobilize and muster as
many of your under officers and Soldiers as you can possible to meet immediately to Some suitable place: and then to march
of[f] forthwith to Concord or Else where as in your Discretion you shall think best to the relief of our Friend[s] and Country.
5. AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY 34 MINUTEMEN Lexington, April 25, 1775
We Nathaniel Mulliken, Philip Russell, (Followed by the names of 32 other men present on Lexington Green on April 19,
1775)…All of lawful age, and inhabitants of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex…do testify and declare, that on the
nineteenth of April instant, about one or two o’clock in the morning, being informed that…a body of regulars were marching
from Boston towards Concord…we were alarmed and having met at the place of our company’s parade (Lexington Green),
were dismissed by our Captain, John Parker, for the present, with orders to be ready to attend at the beat of the drum. We
further testify and declare that about five o’clock in the morning, hearing our drum beat, we proceeded towards the parade,
and soon found that a large body of troops were marching towards us, some of our company were coming to the parade, and
others had reached it, at which time, the company began to disperse, whilst our backs were turned on the troops, we were
fired on by them, and a number of our men were instantly killed and wounded, not a gun was fired by any person in our
company on the regulars to our knowledge before they fired on us, and continued firing until we had all made our escape.
6. GENERAL THOMAS GAGE
Whereas the infatuated multitudes, who have long suffered themselves to be conduced by certain well known Incendiaries
and Traitors in a fatal progression of crimes against the constitutional authority of the state, have at length proceeded to
avowed rebellion; and the good effects which were expected to arise from t\he patience and leniency of the King’s
government, have been frustrated, and are now rendered hopeless, by the influence of evil counsels; it only remains for those
who are entrusted with supreme rule, as well f for the punishment of the guilty, as the protection of the well affected, to
prove they do not bear the sword in vain.
The infringements which have been committed upon the most sacred rights of the crown and people of Great Britain are too
many to enumerate.... All unprejudiced people...will find upon a transient review, marks of premeditation and conspiracy that
would justify the fullness of chastisement.... The authors of the present unnatural revolt never daring to trust their cause, or
their actions to the judgments of an impartial public, or even to the dispassionate reflection of their followers, have uniformly
placed their chief confidence in the suppression of truth: And while indefatigable and shameless pains have been taken to
obstruct every appeal to the interest of the people of America; the grossest forgeries, calumnies and absurdities that ever
insulted human understanding, have been imposed upon their credulity. The press, that distinguished appendage of public
liberty...has been invariably prostituted to the most contrary purposes.... The name of God has been introduced in the pulpits
to excite and justify devastation and massacre....
A number of armed persons, to the amount of many thousands assembled on the 19th of April last and from behind walls, and
lurking holes, attacked a detachment of the King's troops, who...unprepared for vengeance, and willing to decline it, made use
of their arms only in their own defense. Since that period, the rebels, deriving confidence from impunity, have added insult to
outrage; have repeatedly fired upon the King's ships and subjects, with cannon and small arms, have possessed the roads, and
other communications by which the town of Boston was supplied with provisions; and with a preposterous parade of military
arrangement, they affect to hold the
army besieged; while part of their body make daily and indiscriminate invasions upon private property, and with a
wantonness of cruelty every incident to lawless tumult, carry degradation and distress wherever they turn their steps…
In this exigency… I avail myself of the last effort within the bounds of my duty, to spare the effusion [of blood]; to offer , and I
do hereby in his Majesty's name, offer and promise, his most gracious pardon to all persons who shall forthwith lay down
their arms, and return to the duties of peaceable subjects, excepting only from the benefit of such pardon, Samuel Adams and
John Hancock, whose offenses are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration than that of condign
punishment.
7. LIEUTENANT THORNTON GOULD, April 25, 1775
On our arrival at Lexington, we saw a body of Provincial Troops armed, to the number of about sixty or seventy men; on our
arrival they dispersed, and soon after firing began; but which party fired first, I cannot exactly say, as our troops rushed on
shouting and huzzaing previous to the firing…
8. ACCOUNT BY A BRITISH OFFICER FOUND IN BOSTON
…Major Pitcairn came up immediately and cried out to the rebels to throw down their arms and disperse, which they did not
do; he called out a second time, but to no purpose; upon which he ordered our light-infantry to advance and disarm them,
which they were doing, when one of the rebels fired a shot, our soldiers returned the fire and killed about fourteen…
9. Ezekiel Russle, May 1775
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES FACT SHEET
The Shot Heard ’Round the World
Background Information
1754- 63
French & Indian War
April 1764
Sugar Act
March 1765
Stamp Act; Nonimportation movement begins
May 1765
Patrick Henry delivers "If This Be Treason" speech
October 1765
Stamp Act Congress
June 1767
Townshend Acts
March 1770
Boston Massacre
December 1773
Boston Tea Party
April 1774
Coercive (Intolerable) Acts: includes Boston Port & Quartering
Fall 1774
First Continental Congress
Lexington & Concord
·Began April 19, 1775
·Recoats had been occupying Boston since 1768 in order to enforce the Coercive Acts. General Thomas Gage only had
authority in the city of Boston. Though he held out hope of reconciliation with colonists, he wanted to remove weapons from
rebelling Whigs in outlying areas.
·First military engagement of the Revolutionary War
Battle Statistics
Commanders
Number of Combatants Lexington
Concord
End of Battle
Casualties
AMERICAN COLONIES
John Parker
Joseph Warren
GREAT BRITAIN
Francis Smith
John Pitcairn
70
500
3800
400
100
1500
49 killed
39 wounded
5 missing
73 killed
174 wounded
53 missing
Aftermath& Reaction
·By the morning of April 20, Boston was surrounded by 15,000 militiamen.
·Second Continental Congress adopted militiamen in to Continental Army.
·Gage imposed martial law in Boston.
Britain’s George Germain: "the Bostonians are in the right to make the King's troops the aggressors and claim a victory."
John Adams: "the Die was cast, the Rubicon crossed."
Thomas Paine: "rejected the hardened, sullen-tempered Pharaoh of England forever."
George Washington: "the once-happy and peaceful plains of America are either to be drenched in blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad
alternative! But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?"
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES QUESTIONS
Courtesy of National Parks
The Shot Heard ’Round the World
1. Who fired the Shot Heard ’Round the World? Formulate a thesis statement, and site specific evidence from the primary
sources to support your assertion.
2. “The Americans have made a discovery, or think they made a discovery, that we mean to oppress them; we have made
a discovery, or think we have made a discovery, that they intend to rise in rebellion against us. We know not how to
advance; they know not how to retreat.” –Edmund Burke
a. What kind of “advance” or adjustment might the British have made to halt the escalation of the colonial rebellion?
b. What kind of retreat would the colonists have had to make to be acceptable to Britain?
3. What role do you believe each of the following played in producing wide-based support for independence in the
colonies?
a. Inept British Officials (such as Charles Townshend & George Grenville)
b. Dedicated Radicals (such as Samuel Adams & Patrick Henry)
4. Why do you suppose Boston endured the most activity from British politicians and troops?
5. To what extent were the 13 colonies united on the eve of the American Revolution?