Why Were The Battles of Lexington And Concord Important?

Here we have shared some of the core reasons why the battles of Lexington and Concord were an important historical event of the American Revolution.

So, here are the four main reasons below:

The Battles of Lexington & Concord’s Importance: 4 Reasons

1. The First Military Conflict of The American Revolutionary War

The battles of Lexington and Concord were the first phase where American patriots and the British Royal forces came to a series of armed conflicts against each other.

The British troops thought that they would be able to make the patriots surrender without any bloodshed. However, it didn’t happen in reality.

As a result, the battles were fought on April 19th the year 1775.

It was a one-day military conflict. This military engagement fully kicked off the Revolutionary War of America’s independence.

In a total of five places in the Massachusetts Province, armed conflicts took place. Those places were Lexington, Concord, Menotomy, Cambridge, and Lincoln town.

2. Growth of Powerful Unitary Feeling Among The 13 American Colonies

This incident brought all 13 American colonies together against Great Britain. Because the military operation executed by the British troops was a major crisis for the colonists.

Therefore, though it took place only in one state (Concord & Lexington were in Massachusetts province), it brought all the 13 colonies much closer to each other for tackling the crisis.

After the battles, the leaders of the 13 colonies understood well that they would soon have to face major battles against the British Red Coats. Because of this reason, they became more unified to make their security issues stronger than ever before.

Earlier, most of the colonists considered themselves British citizens. However, after this battle, their myth assumption started changing.

Now, they learned very well that the English King and Parliament have no sympathy towards their emotions. 

3. Strategic American Victory In The Battles of Lexington And Concord 

The most important result of the battles of Lexington and Concord was the strategic victory of American patriots.

Yes, it was a little bit shocking but quite true. The British army failed in its primary intention to destroy the arms cache and arrest rebel leaders (John Hancock, Samuel Adams). 

Contrary, American militias successfully drove the Britishers back to Boston. Even militias were able to cause much higher casualties of the English Red Coats.

Here is the data on both sides’ casualties:

In that case, it was a major strategic win for them. It also boosted the morale of the rebels to a greater extent.

4. The Military Conflict Closed All The Doors For Diplomatic Negotiation

After the First Continental Congress, the relationship between the English government and colonists went to an all-time lower point.

Leaders of the colonies knew that they would soon have to face some military conflicts against British forces.

But even after all these, still, they hoped for a diplomatic negotiation with the English authority.

They wondered if the Parliament repeals the 5 Intolerable Acts, the tensions between the two sides would be resolved.

But contrary to all their expectations, on 19th April 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord broke out.

Through this military clash, they learned very well that the situation would never calm down again.

After this clash, it closed almost all the doors for diplomatic negotiation of the problem.

In 1775, though some of the leaders tried to negotiate with England, all failed.

Example: Rejection of the Olive Branch Petition by King George III.

Conclusion

So, these were the four core reasons why the clash of Lexington and Concord was an important event from the American Revolution’s perspective.

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