American Revolution Flashcards
1
Q
7 Years War(1756-1763)
A
- Spain. France, and England
- British captured French and Spanish colonial possessions around the world b/c of superior naval strength
2
Q
William Pitt
A
Responsible for naval strategies that won England half the world by end of 7 Years War
3
Q
Why did the British navy decline after the Seven Year’s War?
A
War debt
4
Q
Who began to rebuild their navy right after the Seven Year’s War?
A
France
5
Q
Who benefited during the Seven Year’s War?
A
The American colonies grew and prospered
5
Q
The Revenue Act of 1763
A
- Passed to pay off war debts built up during Seven Year’s War
- Taxed England’s exports to the colonies, passed by King George III
6
Q
The Stamp Act of 1765
A
Required that every paper documents carry a stamp on it to raise money for the defense of the colonies
7
Q
Townshend Act of 1767
A
Taxed paper, lead, and tea
8
Q
Bottom Massacre (5 March 1770)
A
- British soldiers shot and killed several people including Crispus Attucks
- They were the first casualties of the American Revolution
9
Q
Boston Tea Party 1773
A
Samuel Adams and Bostonians, disguised as Indians, dumped British tea into the harbor rather than pay taxes on it
10
Q
The Coercive Acts
A
- Passed in response for Boston tea Party
- Closed the port of Boston
- Abolished the right of the people of Massachusetts to select their own council
- Restricted other civil liberties
11
Q
Lexington and Concord 1775
A
- Stockpiling arms(American)
- Colonies supply ship building materials
*
12
Q
sea lines of communication
A
allows for trade overseas
13
Q
sea Lind of coastal communication
A
intercostal ships to move across to any nation
13
Q
What did the colonies supply England with?
A
Most of Englands ship building materials such as timber for mast/hulls, turpentine, pitch, and tar
14
Q
Privateers
A
- Armed American merchant ships that had helped the British win the 7 year’s war
- like pirates
- had the blessing of the Continental Congress if they helped the British
15
Q
What did privateers do during the beginning of the Revolutionary War?
A
They captured British ships and goods with the blessing of the Continental Congress
16
Q
Why did the colonies present tactical problem for the British?
A
They has a 1,800 mile long Eats coast
17
Q
Continental Congress - July 1775
A
- To petition Kind George III to restore liberty to the colonies in a final attempt to avoid war
- King George refuses to petition (Olive Branch pet.)
17
Q
Who took command of the Continental Army - 3 July 1775?
A
George Washington; knew they needed a strong army and navy
18
Q
First sea fight of the revolution
A
- Group of marine backwoodsmen captured the British Cutter Margaretta and its supplied
- 775 - 1776
19
Q
Early colonial navy
A
- Virginia and South Carolina donated most ships and have large squadrons of small ships
- These ships carried coastal commerce
- Attacked by British supply boats
- Kept open the coastal lines of communication on which so much life in the colonies depended.
20
Q
The Coastal Calvary
A
- Congress was initially reluctant to establish a continental navy decays elf the “coastal calvary force”
- Thought that warships built and named by colonists would NOT be able to stand up to powerful ships of the Royal Navy(British)
21
Q
What was the only colony not to put in ships to the early colonial navy?
A
New Hampshire
22
What were the first ships that Congress brought into the Coastal Calvary?
* Andrew Doria and Cabot to intercept British supply ships
* Later on, they added 2 larger ships the Alfred and Columbus
23
How were privateers beneficial throughout the war?
* They captured 2,200 British vessels by the war's end
* Many privateer captains would become famous in the U.S. Navy(John Paul Jones)
24
How many ships did George Washington commission in 1775?
* 7 warships
* used to capture British supplies, his "navy" took muskets, shot, and a mortar
25
When and where was the Marine Corps established?
10 November 1775
Tun Tavern, Philadelphia
26
Personnel Problems
* In the beginning of war, men were excited to serve
* As it continued, it was difficult to recruit b/c:
*strict discipline
*low pay
*poor rewards
* without people, some ships were unable to op. to sea
27
Impressment
forcing men to serve in the Navy by taking them on ship against their will
28
What was the first ship commissioned and who raised first flag in it?
The Alfred
John Paul Jones
29
Esek Hopkins
The First Continental naval squadron commander in chief
30
First Continental Naval Squadron
Composed of six small schooners, brigs, and sloops assembled at Philadelphia
31
February 1776
* Congress directs Esek Hopkins to neutralize loyalist craft in the Virginia Capes
* He sailed to New Providence in Bahamas and overcame two British forts and took more than 80 artillery pieces, power, and naval stores
* Hopkins sailed home to New England with captured supplies
32
Artillery
Mounted, projectile firing guns or missile launchers
33
April 5
* Squadrons came upon the 20-gun British corvette Glasgow
* Outnumbered 6 to 1, the Glasgow was able to escape after damaging many of the squadron's ships
34
Privateer Mentality
* Squadron captain were privateersmen
who wouldn't cooperate with each other, teach their men gunnery, or maintain squadron discipline
35
Captain Tom Hazard
* Was dismissed doe cowardice
*His ship was given to Lieutenant John Paul Jones
36
Importance of Nassau Expedition
Turned out to be the last time American ships would be put to sea as a squadron during war
37
August 1776: John Paul Jones
* In a single month, Jones captured 16 enemy vessels and destroyed many others
* JPJ would become legendary among early American naval leaders
38
American Invasion of Canada 1775
* General Montgomery and General Arnold
* When British reinforcements arrived(General John Burgoyne and General Sir Guy Charlton) the Americans retreated toward the colonies
39
Reinforcements
an additional supply of personnel, ships, or material for a military force
40
4 July 1776
Declaration of Independent was signed
41
rebellion
open, organized, and armed resistance to one's government or ruler
42
March 1776 Boston
* General Sir William Howe held the city of Boston
* Washington held his ships in the water and surrounded him with cannons threatening to shoot
* General Howe leaves
43
militia
a body of citizen soldiers, not professional
44
Halifax, Nova Scotia importance
British troops and 1,000 loyalists escape by ship to here
45
Day after Declaration of Independence is signed
General Howe sails south and joins Generals Clinton and Cornwallis at New York the day after it was signed
46
New York December 1776
* The British had 500 ships anchored off Staten Island
* The Americans did not have a single warship to keep the enermy out of New York
* The British has over 30,000 soldiers
* Americans only has 20,000 many untrained militiamen
* Americans were driven from Long Island and them from White Plains, NY
47
Why did American forces only have about 2,000 men in December 1776?
* Casualties and desertion
* End of enlistments
* Men going home to take care of families for winter
48
Christmas Eve 1776
* Washington crosses the Delaware
* Surprised the enemy at Trenton for a HUGE victory
* After victory, Washington surprised British again at Princeton for another HUGE victory
* Americans saved capital at Philadelphia
49
Where were the British and Americans in the winter of 1776?
* Washington wintered at Morristown, NJ
* British winterd at New York, NY
50
How was the war going in 1776 to early 1777; after the surprise attacks?
* The Americans saved the Capital in Philadelphia
* The tide was turning in favor of the Americans
51
British planned 3-Pronged attack - Summer of 1776
* General Burgoyne marches south from Montreal with 8,000 men to Hudson Valley
* Led by St. Leger, army of pro-British Tories and Indians march east from Lake Ontario
* The three forces were to meet in Albany, New York, splitting the colonies in half and get them to surrender
52
General Burgoyne - Early July to Late August
Captures Fort Ticonderoga, then the Patriot militia beat the Tories and Indians near Fort Stanwix
53
General Howe's Fatal Decision
How decided to take Philadelphia en route to meeting General Burgoyne in Albany, NY
TURNING POINT OF WAR
54
10 and 11 September 1777
Battle at Philadelphia
The Americans were no match for the superior British forces, and after 2 days at battle, the British marched into Philly and Continental Congress fled
55
Where did forces meet in winter 1777
* Howe quartered his army in Philly
* Washington's men faced cold and hunger at Valley Forge
56
First Phase
September 1777
* Burgoyne marched his men, European style, through an open field to break through the American lunes near Saratoga, NY
* British made easy targets for American sharpshooters who fired from behind trees
57
Second Phase
7 October 1777
* Burgoyne led his trapped Redcoats in finals attempt to break through American lines
* Daniel Morgan mowed down the British, Benedict Arnold led charge
* Major Horatio Gates was gathering growing force of Americans
58
Turning Point of the Revolutionary War
General Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga 1777
59
Significance of the Battle of Saratoga
* British government was less willing to carry on war
* France, Spain and Netherlands came into the was as colonial allies
60
Who is Americas first and oldest ally?
France
61
Treaty of Friendship with France 1778
* Benjamin Franklin went to France to sign this
* Provided money & support
62
American Naval Efforts Throughout the War
* Mostly a nuisance to Britain, didn't affect the outcome the war
* Washington was right, naval power did decide outcome of war, but it was the French, not American naval power that made the difference
* Privateers did more than the Navy; hurt the British trade in the West, delayed troops reinforcements, and captured needed arms/supplues
63
John Paul Jones
* Most famous officer in the Continental Army
* First ensign on Alfred
* Buried in Naval Academy
* Renamed the East Indiaman the Bonhomme Richard in honor of Benjamin Franklin
*wrote Poor Richard's Almanac
64
Bonhomme Richard vs. HMS Serapis
As Bonhomme Richard slowly began to sink, John Paul Jones was asked if he was ready to strike but replied "I have not yet begun to fight!"
65
broadship
simultaneously firing all of the guns on one side of the warship
66
grapple
a hook/iron instrument by which one thing, as a ship, fastens on to another
67
forestay
a line running from the upper part of the mast to the bow of the boat
68
mainmast
the second mast out of the three masts
69
topside
the outer surface of a hull above the water
70
weatherdeck
any deck exposed to the weather
71
mizzenmast
third mast
71
grenade
a small shell containing an explosive and thrown by hand
72
powder cartridge
a cylindrical container designed to hold gunpowder for cannons or rifles
73
British Strategy in 1778
* Maintain the defense in Northern colonies
* Mount an offense in Southern colonies
* Take war to East Indies
74
Sir Henry Clinton
* Commanded British forces in the colonies
* Abandoned Philly to reinforce NYC
75
VADM Comte d'Estaing
* En route to America w/ French fleet of 12 ships
* Arrived at New York on 11 July 1778 in attempt to assist General Washington
* Unable to enter, went to Caravan and remained there for over a year
76
September 1779 New York
* French Fleet retunes to try and help capture NY
* British held off French and Americans
* French returns to France
* Confident that Washington's troops were not a threat, Clinton set sail for Charleston, SC and surrounded American forces
77
What battle would the remaining Continental Navy be captured?
Battle of Charleston, 1780
78
General Cornwallis
Southern Campaigns
* Defeated Gates at Camden, South Carolina
* Moved to North Carolina, Washington could do nothing to stop him.
79
October 1780
General Greene
His troops defeated a Troy force at King's Mountain, SC
80
Cowpens SC
General Morgan defeats General Tarleton
81
Cornwallis, Morgan, and Greene in NC
Cornwallis followed Morgan and Greene through North Carolina and won a battle at Guilford Courthouse, but lost so many men --> retreat
82
General Lafayette
* Sent word to Washington of Cornwallis' entrenchment at Yorktown on Chesapeake Bay
* Him and General "mad" Anthony Wayne commanded 5,000 militia in the area and kept Cornwallis under observation
83
General Comte de Rochambeau
Him and Washington agreed to battle General Clinton's superior troops in New York even though French reinforcements did not arrive in May 1781
84
Admiral de Grasses
14 August 1781
* General Washington wrote the French minister asking that de grasses come north from the West Indians to help in NY operation
* ADM de Grasses reported that he would arrive in the Chesapeake area wit more than 25 warships and 3,000 troops in September 1781
85
Battle of Yorktown
* General Washington's 4,500 Americans with 5,500 troops, marched from NY to Yorktown to battle British
* On 9 October 1781, 20,000 American and French troops attacked the British
* General Cornwallis surrendered his army of 7,600 men on 19 October 1781
86
How long was the Battle of York Town?
10 DAY BATTLE
87
How did England feel after the Battle of Yorktown?
England was tired of war and knew they faced powerful forces of France, Spain and Holland in Europe
88
American Peace Delegation
* Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams signed it
* Ends American Revolution
89
delegation
group of people chosen to represent a political entity such as a country of state
90
Treaty of Paris 1783
Treaty between England and the colonies, formally ended the American Revolutionary War
* 3 September 1783
91
How was the Continental Navy against Brit. Navy?
Ineffectual against Navy of England --> France was
92
General Benedict Arnold
Commanded the American troops in the Battle on Lake Champlain
93
Timeline(1775-1783)
* 1775 - Revolution began
* 13 Oct 1775 - Congress established Navy
* 11-13 Oct 1776 - Battle of Lack Champlain
* 25 Dec 1776 - Washington crossed Delaware River
* 17 Oct 1777 - Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga
* 6 Feb 1778 - France allied with America
* 23 Sept 1779 - Jones defeated Serapis
* 12 May 1780 - Charleston surrendered
* 9-19 Oct 1781 - Battle of Yorktown
94
Several colonists were killed by British troops in 1770 during a protest over taxation in what city?
Boston
95
What was the name of the ship captured in 1775 by Jeremiah O'Brien and his Main backwoodsmen?
Cutter Margaretta
96
What date did Congress agree to finance the start of the Continental Navy?
13 October 1775
97
Although it was a military defeat, how was the Battle of Lake Champlain a tactical victory for the colonists?
It stopped the southerly advance of the British and gave the colonists until the following spring to regroup and train their forces
98
Instead of meeting General Burgoyne in Albany, which city did General Howe capture?
Philadelphia
99
In October 1777, General Burgoyne surrounded to the American troops in what city?
Saratoga
100
Why was the American victory at Saratoga of great importance?
The victory Brough the French into the war on the American side
101
Who made the famous reply "I have not yet begun to fight!"
John Paul Jones
102
What was the purpose of the British 3-pronged attack in 1777?
To divide the colonies
103
Why was the Congress reluctant to form a continental navy?
* They felt that it would be powerless agains the British fleet
* They felt that the "coastal calvary was sufficient
104
Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga was called the turning point of the was but what was its significance?
* It brought the French into the war as American allies
* Britain was no longer willing to carry on the war
105
What 4 reasons was it difficult for England to fight a naval battle with the colonies?
* England dependent on the colonies for building supplies
* Many British officers felt the Americans should be treated as English citizens and refused to fight against them
* England's former privateers were now fighting for the colonies
* The American coastline was too long to patrol successfully
