boston 1775-6

Question 1

what did washington want to do?

Answer 1

wanted to attack, was restrained by politicians who feared bostons destruction

Question 2

why else did washington not attack

Answer 2

• discouraged by the strength of british fortifications, shortage of munitions, and soldiers going home to their families
• army suffered from typhus and dysentery
• army numbers had fallen by the winter, so the british outnumbered them

Question 3

what should the british have done

Answer 3

british should have attacked, major failing as american numbers in army were dwindling
* howe- who replaced gage in the october, did nothing

Question 4

why was this beneficial to americans

Answer 4

• americans benefitted from having the main british army- with 9000 men- bottled up in boston
• no effective action from the british against the americans could be taken
• inaction gave rebels time to consolidate

Question 5

when had washington overcome difficulties around boston?

Answer 5

early 1776

Question 6

who was key to the americans

Answer 6

knox

Question 7

what did knox do

Answer 7

gained artillery from Ticonderoga, and transported it by boat, sledges and wagon more than 480 km to boston, arrived in feb.

Question 8

why were the british forced to evacuate

Answer 8

march 1776- the rebels (17,000 strong) captured Dorchester Heights.

made the british position untenable

Question 9

detail the british evacuation from boston

Answer 9

17th march- howes army- accompanied by 1000 loyalists began evacuating boston

Question 10

where did the british evacuate to

Answer 10

sailed to halifax, nova scotia- britains main naval base

Question 11

why was the british evacuation from boston so significant

Answer 11

• Howe’s withdrawal marked the first major strategic victory for the CA- proving that the americans could force the british out of a major city
• boston had been a major stronghold for british forces since 1768- and their departure meany that it was largely free fron british military control- allowing the revolution to gain strength in the region
• demonstrated washingtons military skilll
• boost to american morale- vicotry energised the revolutionary cause and encouraged further enlistment and support for independence
• the artillery transported by knox from ticonderoga played a crucial role in forcing the british to evacuate- showing how american ingenuity could challenge british power
• british evacuation of boston was a turning point that strengthened american confidence and pushed the war into a new, revolutionary phase