American Revolution Review Flashcards

Question

Who were Loyalists?

Answer 1

They argued the colonists had a duty to obey the king, whose authority came from God. They felt deep loyalty to king of Britain, and was horrified by the idea of taking arms against British troops. They were faithful subjects.

Answer 2

British relied on mercenaries- Americans called them “Hessians” after the region in Germany where most of them came from. They had less of a purpose when fighting. Some Patriots bribed the mercenaries/hessians. Hessians were approximately 30,000 German troops hired by the British. It was quicker and cheaper to hire Hessian units than to recruit and train new regiments of British troops; They were very well trained and helped win battles.

Answer 3

It happened on December 25-26, 1776. While the Patriots were struggling through winter, the main British force settled in New York. The British also left some troops in Princeton and Trenton, NJ. Washington saw a chance to surprise them. Washington camped in Pennsylvania, across the Delaware River from the British camp. On Christmas 1776, he led 2,400 troops across the river to surprise the enemy at Trenton. Hessians surrender. Washington then escaped and marched to Princeton, and his army scattered the British force there. After the Battle of Trenton, the British in 1777 sent general John Burgoyne to defeat the americans.

Answer 4

In early 1777, the British began their 3-pronged battle plan. Their goal was to seize Albany, New York and gain control of the Hudson River. With the Hudson, they would cut off New England from the Middle Colonies First , General John Burgoyne led troops south from Canada and Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger moved east from Lake Ontario and a 3rd group under General Howe moved north up the Hudson. The 3 british forces would then attack the Patriot troops in Albany. The British capture Philadelphia. Before the attack on Albany, Howe sought to capture Philadelphia- home of the Continental Congress. Howe won battles in September 1777 at Brandywine and Paoli near Philadelphia, then his troops captured Philadelphia, forcing the Continental Congress to flee. Howe decided to stay in Philadelphia instead of going to Albany because of winter. The Battle of Saratoga Meanwhile, British plan to take Albany was in trouble. In August, American soldiers led by Benedict Arnold stopped St. Leger in Fort Stanwix, New York General Burgoyne’s army hasn’t reached Albany either In July, they captured Fort Ticonderoga, but needed supplies. They sent forces to the American supply base at Bennington, Vermont. The local militia group, the Green Mountain Boys, defeated them. Burgoyne retreated to Saratoga, New York There, Burgoyne found himself in trouble and alone. Patriots stopped St. Leger at Fort Stanwix. Howe was still in Philadelphia, and American troops under general Horatio Gates blocked and surrounded Burgoyne’s army. Burgoyne made a desperate attack on october 7, but the Patriots were firm. On October 7, 1777- General Burgoyne surrendered and the British plan failed. The Continental Congress won an enormous victory that changed the course of the war.

Answer 5

One leader at Valley Forge was Marquis de Lafayette. He came to the US in 1777 as a volunteer. Excited about the Declaration of Independence's ideas, he wanted to join the battle for freedom. He believed the American cause represented future of mankind. When he reached the US, Lafayette offered services to General Washington, and agreed to serve without pay and became a trusted aid. He volunteered time and money, and secured vital resources from France. His first major combat duty came during the September 1777 Battle of Brandywine; Valley Forge, Battle at Monmouth; Siege at Yorktown

Answer 6

He was a Spanish Leader during the American Revolution. Bernardo de Gálvez was the governor of the Spanish colony of Louisiana when the Revolutionary War began in 1776. Gálvez helped the Patriots by keeping British armies and supplies out of the Mississippi River. He also gave the United States army ammunition and food. This was a patriot advantage. When Spain joined the war, Gálvez prepared a series of military attacks against British forts in West Florida. (Pensacola, FL)

Answer 7

He was an American naval officer. John Paul Jones raided British ports, in his battle, the British ship surrendered. Naval victory made John Paul Jones a hero to the patriots. He joined the Continental Navy, with his greatest victory coming from his against-all-odds defeat of the British warship Serapis in 1779.

Answer 8

He was a Virginia militia leader. George Rogers Clark set out to end attacks in the west. In July 1778, he led a force down the Ohio River. The patriots captured the British post at Kaskaskia and the British Town of Vincennes. The British troops under Henry Hamilton recaptured Vincennes, and Clark vowed to get it back. On Feb 1779, Clark and his troops surprised the British and forced their surrender. This victory strengthened the American position in the west to regain Vincennes

Answer 9

Some new tactics were hit and run and guerilla tactics. Leaders were Nathaniel Greene and Daniel Morgan. In April 1781, Cornwallis marched to Virginia and carried out raids. Washington sent Lafayette and General Anthony Wayne to push Cornwallis back, who took shelter at Yorktown. Battle for the south was entering its final phase. While the British was carrying out southern campaign, in the north, French warships carried French aid and supplies. The soldiers were commanded by Comte de Rochambeau Rochambeau joined Washington waiting for the second fleet from French to attack the British Army Base at New York (under General Clinton) The second French fleet never arrived in the north, so Washington and Rochambeau never attacked Clinton. Instead both ships and troops found a better opportunity to strike the British in Yorktown. Washington leaves for Virginia as he waited outside New York, Washington followed reports of fighting in the south. In 1781 he sent Lafayette and Anthony Wayne to Virginia to stop Cornwallis which was a success Lafayette had Cornwallis surrounded on the peninsula of Yorktown. Washington also got important news about the French fleet: The ships were headed to Chesapeake Bay instead of New York. They were going to help defeat Cornwallis; so Washington quickly changed plans and decided he and Rochambeau would advance on the British at Yorktown and not New York. Washington kept his new strategy a secret. He wanted Clinton to think the Patriots were still going to attack New York, so Clinton would not send aid to Cornwallis. Washington and Rochambeau then rushed south with their confused armies. General Clinton did not learn about the patriot armies until it was too late. He could not stop the three forces: Lafayette’s troops, Washington and Rochambeau's army, and the French fleet from meeting at Yorktown. It was a trap at Yorktown. Washington’s plan worked perfectly. Meanwhile, the French fleet kept guard at Chesapeake Bay. The British ships could not help Cornwallis escape by sea. Clinton and the rest of the British army sat helplessly in New York. The British were trapped. American and French forces began a siege and blocked off the British supply and escape routes. They hoped to make the British surrender. Victory over Cornwallis Siege began to affect them- low supplies, wounded soldiers With Washington’s aid, Hamilton led an attack that captured key British defenses. Cornwallis realized his situation was hopeless and he surrendered. Patriots won the Battle of Yorktown Independence achieved. The Yorktown victory was a terrible blow to British war effort, but fighting continued after Cornwallis surrendered. British still held Savannah Georgia, Charles Town South Carolina, and New York. There would be a few more land and sea clashes, but Yorktown convinced the British citizens that the war was too costly to pursue.

Answer 10

The Americans and the British sent delegates to Paris to work out a treaty. American Congress ratified the first draft of a treaty in April 1783. The final Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783. British also made peace with France and Spain. Under the Treaty of Paris, Great Britain recognized the US as an independent nation British promised to withdraw all troops and gave Americans fishing rights in Canada. In turn, the US promised that Americans would pay British merchants what they owed and Congress would advise new states to return property stolen from Loyalists. 3 main parts Great Britain agreed to recognize the United States as an independent nation Britain gave up its claim to all lands between the Atlantic coast and the Mississippi River, from Canada south to Florida The united states agreed to return all rights and property taken from Loyalists during the war

Answer 11

From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States. The First Continental Congress, which was composed of delegates from the colonies, met in 1774 in reaction to the Coercive Acts, a series of measures imposed by the British government on the colonies in response to their resistance to new taxes. Sept. 1775- 55 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to set up a political body that represented Americans and challenged British control- continental congress. It brought together delegates from most of the British colonies in North America, so it was called the first continental congress. response to coercive acts- colonial resistance to taxes impacts suffolk resolves led other colonies to begin organizing militias suffolk resolves were NOT continental congress ( massachusetts declared) but it impacts the Articles of Association CREATED TENSION, DOES NOT STOP THE TENSION discussed complaints against the british and voted Called to repeal 13 acts of parliament- believed these laws violated the rights of the colonies Repeal thirteen acts of parliament Delegates also voted to boycott british trade, wouldn’t import or use british goods, or sell their goods in great britain Also decided to endorse suffolk resolutions. It declared the coercive acts to be illegal, called on the country’s residents to arm themselves against british. After endorsing resolves, other colonies organized militias called on militias to prepare for war Suffolk resolves- asked militias to prepare for war met to organize colonial resistance to coercive acts, many important leaders attended- patrick henry, sam and john adams, george washington. Congress was structured with emphasis on the equality of participants, and to promote free debate delegates’ opinions varied greatly, but they were united under a love for liberty and hatred of tyranny Congress issued a Declaration of Rights, affirming its loyalty to the British Crown but disputing the British Parliament’s right to tax it- letter/petition to king george declaration of rights- explain The Congress also passed the Articles of Association, which called on the colonies to stop importing goods from the British Isles beginning on December 1, 1774, if the Coercive Acts were not repealed. articles of association- say to stop important goods if demands not met Should Britain fail to redress the colonists’ grievances in a timely manner, the Congress declared, then it would reconvene on May 10, 1775, and the colonies would cease to export goods to Britain on September 10, 1775.

Answer 12

In 1774, the delegates agreed to meet again if Britain failed to address their concerns. The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775 w/some of the greatest leaders of the colonies. The Second Continental Congress assumed the normal function of a government and established itself as the central governing authority under the Articles of Confederation (don’t need to study), which remained in force until 1788. President John Hancock The Second Continental Congress first met on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, soon after the American Revolutionary War had begun After that, the delegates continued to meet in different sessions until March of 1781, when the Articles of Confederation were ratified. in the first continental congress, decided if the British didn’t repeal their acts, they would meet again Continental congress took many steps to begin governing the colonies Authorized the printing of money, set up a post office, formed communities to handle relations with native Americans and foreign countries ^ Most important- created the continental army created continental army and chose George Washington to command it- he was very capable. some historians argue that without him, patriots wouldn’t have won Unlike local militias, such a force could form and carry out an overall strategy for fighting the British Congress chose George Washington to command the army - experienced soldiers and respected southern planters. Left Philadelphia to instruct forced in Boston Delegates then offered Britain last chance to avoid war Sent a petition to George III- olive branch petition send olive branch petition- final chance Assured the king that colonists wanted peace, asked the king to protect colonists’ rights King rejected the petition, declared colonists open rebellion- if they resorted to violence it would mean war?; and prepared for war. Hired more than 30,000 german troops called Hessians to help British troops June 1776- Virginia's Richard Henry Lee offered a bold resolution: to be free. Congress debated this, some delegates thought colonies should not form separate nations, some said war already started and they should be free. Others feared Britain's powers to crush their rebellions declaration of independence While delegates debated, Congress chose a committee to write a declaration of independence - Jefferson agreed that he would do the writing for the project. Drew on John Locke's ideas to explain why 13 colonies were proclaiming their freedom (see for details) July 2, 1776- second continental congress voted on lee’s resolution - 12 colonies voted for independence (new york later announced its support) Then delegated discussed Jefferson's draft of independence- after some changes, it was approved on July 4, 1776

Answer 13

Strong patriotism; greater motivation/sense of purpose high stakes and stronger motivation The British relied on mercenaries- Americans called them “Hessians” after the region in Germany where most of them came. Patriots fought for freedom of their own land- gave them greater stake than soldiers who fought for money british mercenaries were paid, didn't have much motivation americans were able to lure hessians away Americans also lured hessians away with promises of land Americans received help from overseas Marquis de Lafayette and others George Washington Fighting on own ground

Answer 14

The British seemed unbeatable. During the previous 100 years, the British had enjoyed triumph after triumph over nations as powerful as France and Spain. At first glance, the odds were clearly against the Americans as Britain enjoyed some of the best advantages. with a professional army of 50,000 troops, british forces outnumbered the continental army King george III also hired 30,000 mercenaries known as Hessians 30k mercenaries british were also able to recruit many loyalists, african americans, and native americans, and quakers remained neutral british and hessian troops were well trained in european military tactics excelled in large battles fought by a mass of troops on open ground had far more experienced than americans at firing artillery better trained than american soldiers Patriots only volunteered as soldiers for short periods of time British were well supplied strongest navy in the world, along with thousands of soldiers, best navy had naval control well-trained army, supported by wealth of their empire, more people : 8 million people lived in britain and there were only 2.5 million americans support of loyalists in the colonies not all Americans sided with independence, had the support of loyalists enlisted african americans to fight first many native american allies because they saw britain as less of a threat tried to remain neutral in the early phase of the war but when some of them came under attack by American militia, they decided to join the British. many confederacies ex. wabanaki Other tribes joined the British in the hopes that if the British won, they would put a stop to colonial expansion in the west, as they had done with the Royal Proclamation of 1763 bribing african americans to work for their cause one of the best armies in the world most powerful, experienced well-trained and disciplined army in the world; the army had defeated some of the most powerful nations ex. france and spain

Answer 15

they argued that all men possess inalienable rights. The king violated these rights by passing unfair laws. Therefore, the king had broken the social contract with the colonists. there are 3 main natural rights- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which the government must respect or else it should be overthrown erasing colonists representation and invading their basic rights The judge's decision in trials are dependent on the king of britain’s beliefs King has taken rights of trial by jury, one of the rights of the citizens King was sending back to great britain for offenses that are not justified King taking away land and rights in government, and britain was so far they had already attempted to peacefully mend relations, only responded with threats, never showed willingness to compromise in the olive branch petition written by the second continental congress, king george III refused to protect the people’s rights and prepared for war declaration of rights- first continental congress in protests such as the boston tea party, britain only responded with more abuses- ex. the coercive acts After Bostonians were forced to house British troops (quartering act), We were forced to pay for the tea dumped into the Boston Harbor- more tyranny King passed acts that controlled all aspects of life there - oppressed King had kept the armies of towns without the consent of legislatures . All rules are decided by the king of britain, making colonists feel unindependent, even during times of peace King is forcing colonists to house soldiers the king has increased control over the colonies and has been supporting indians on the colonists frontier, causing merciless wars controlled westward expansion Britain enforced a quartering act, forcing them to protect the military. Large army is stationed permanently because of proclamation Bringing too many soldiers Cannot trade with other places, they cut off their trade- navigation acts writs of assistance allowed officers to search almost anywhere for smuggled goods- infiltrated our basic foundation of trust and life- no say in this. taxes basic goods for their own war that the colonists had no say in (taxation without representation) Enforced taxes and enabled them to have much money, colonists lost money trying to pay off taxes. Taxation without representation After the French and Indian War, the colonists were forced to pay taxes to pay off Britain’s debt from the war efforts, it was Britain's war! should not have to pay British taxes because they had no representatives in the British Parliament. They are taxing a wide variety of goods and taking advantage and controlling our economic prosperity (ex. Navigation acts). would not allow colonial representation, especially in parliament’s decisions King george III refused to pass any laws that helped the colonists King has formed own government to belittle the colonists and be superior over them colonial assemblies should only hold the right to tax the colonies, but their representatives did not hold any power the king of britain resigned from leading a government that protects the people, sacrificing the colonists’ safety by waging war against the colonists the king has only helped the colonists when it was out of an interest for great britain britain had sabotaged the lives of the colonists in many ways: killed many people, tore apart the towns, and has taken control and ruined every aspect of life in the colonies

Answer 16

The Battle of Trenton and Saratoga