American Revolution Test Flashcards
Lexington and Concord
April 19, 1775
General Gage ordered to crush the rebellion.
Concord- seize large storage of weapons.
Lexington on the way.
Paul Revere heard of it-
Midnight Ride.
70 minutemen blocked the way.
8 Americans dead, 10 wounded.
British marched on to Concord.
Found 3 cannons, rest hidden.
Returned to Boston, but met Americans.
Lost 247 men total.
Americans lost less than 100.
The war began ("shot heard 'round the world")Patrick Henry
Early 1775 in House of Burgesses
“Give me liberty…”
Bunker Hill
June 16, 1775 Hills overlooking Boston (high ground) Americans held (Colonial Prescott- "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" because of low on ammunition. Americans retreated. British lost over 1000 men. Americans lost about 400. The long hard fight ahead.
Olive Branch Petition
July 1775-
Plea to the king to settle the dispute.
Common Sense
1776-
Thomas Paine inspired to separate.
3 months- 120ooo copies.
Wrote simply for the common man.
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Fed up
Signed Declaration- Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and two others
Spoke natural rights (John Locke) and explained separation to the world.
Not represented- black, women, Indians, working classes, and Loyalists
Many African Americans joined the army in hopes of winning freedom for themselves (fight with Britain- freedom; 5000 fought for Americans)
Indians- joined Britain since less of threat
America (advantages and disadvantages)
2.5 million
Advantage- Knew area, cause, good leaders
Disadvantage- No navy, weapons, supplies, or men. (untrained and not long-term)
British (advantages and disadvantages)
Advantage- Huge army, well, trained, best navy, Hessians.
Disadvantage- Distance (supplies and communication), big area to conquer
Battle of Long Island
August 1776
1400 Americans slaughtered
Spy Nathan Hale captured and hanged (“I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country.”)
George Washington on the run.
Changed tactics- no battles, skirmishes, not lose.
In war, George Washington fought 9 battles, won 3.
The Crisis
Read on December 23, 1776
George Washington read to soldiers
America getting badly beaten- inspiration
Trenton
December 26, 1776
While Hessians celebrating Christmas, George Washington sneak attack across icy Delaware River
Icy roads cut through American footwear-
bloody trail.
Confused- 900 taken prisoners.
Victory- 1000s of volunteers joined American army. George Washington- no wrong after this.
Saratoga
October 17, 1777
Ended British threat in New England and convinced France to be allied.
Franklin in France all this time.
Lafayette in America helped persuade his countrymen and became a trusted friend of George Washington.
Valley Forge
Not a battle Winter 77-78 Hungry, no shoes/clothes Merchants charged high prices Robert Morris paid for stuff 2500 died of starvation/disease George Washington kept the army together Friedrich von Steuben trained troops at Valley Forge into a real army with common techniques.
Privateers
With no navy, Continental Congress hired private boats to attack British
John Paul Jones raided many British ports
“I have not yet begun to fight.”
Benedict Arnold
Hero of Saratoga, but felt unappreciated
Delivered defense plans for West Point military academy to British for money and high position in the British army.
George Washington’s greatest betrayal
Blow to American belief in themselves
Women
Took care of farm and family
Made supplies
Joined army and cared for wounded
Betsy Ross- Maker of flags
Mary Ludwig Hays- “Molly Pitcher”- Took husband’s place at cannon.
Lydia Darragh- Agent for George Washington.
Lived across from General Howe and gave info.
Deborah Sampson- one of few women to fight. Removed bullet from leg to hide identity.
Lectured everywhere afterwards.
Abigail Adams and Judith Sargeant Murray spoke out for women’s rights and education.
South
Stalemate (tie) in North, so British look South where lots of Loyalists
Great at first, won at Charles Town and Camden
Spain
Joined war in 1777
New Louisiana governor Bernardo de Gálvez gave aid and support Americans
Even declared war on England and won battles in South (New Orleans and Florida)
Nathanael Greene
Made British occupation of South unbearable.
Led Cornwallis on a chase into the backcountry
Greene lost every major battle but won the support of the south
Cornwallis retreated to Yorktown for rest and supplies
Yorktown
October 19, 1781
Lafayette in Williamsburg gave George Washington info of Cornwallis’s location
French Admiral de Grasse held off English supply ships
George Washington and French troops under General Rochambeau attacked since British trapped and begin the siege.
17,000 vs. 8,000 British
Lord North (PM)- “It’s all over.” Last major battle
Treaty of Paris
September 3, 1783
Franklin, J. Adams, and John Jay worked out a deal
America made independent and given land east of Mississippi River.
France left out of the treaty.
George Washington, after calming down unpaid army (Newburgh Conspiracy), resigned commission as general.
