The Heights That Helped Free Boston
On the morning of March 5, 1776, British soldiers in Boston looked toward the hills south of the city and saw a startling sight. Overnight, American troops had built defenses on Dorchester Heights. Cannons placed there could threaten both the town and the British ships in its harbor. Within two weeks, the British would leave Boston.
A city under siege
The American Revolution began in April 1775, when fighting broke out between British troops and colonial forces at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. Soon afterward, colonial soldiers surrounded Boston, where much of the British army had gathered.
This situation was called a siege. The colonial army controlled the land routes leading out of the city, while the British controlled the harbor and could receive supplies by ship. Neither side could easily drive the other away. The siege continued for months as the two armies watched and waited.
In July 1775, George Washington took command of the Continental Army, the force created by the colonies to fight Britain. Washington wanted to push the British out of Boston, but he needed more heavy guns to threaten their positions.
Cannons for the heights
- startling:
- Surprising or shocking
- supplies:
- Things needed for a task or for living
- positions:
- Places where people or equipment are located
- overlooked:
- Had a view of from above
- interfered:
- Got in the way of something
- departed:
- Left a place
- preparation:
- The work of getting ready
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Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
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Summarize
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Purpose
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Structure
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Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why was it difficult for either army to end the siege of Boston quickly?
- 2How did Henry Knox’s journey help Washington carry out his plan?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“The Heights That Helped Free Boston” is a explanatory article reading passage about American Revolution, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (495 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.