Chapter 3 - Why did hostility between the colonists and the British lead to the outbreak of fighting and the move towards independence 1774-76?

Question 1

Who was General Gage? [2]

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Answer 1

• Served in the Seven Years War [1]
• Authorized the expedition to Concord. [1]

Question 2

Where and when did General Gage send troops to destroy munitions? [2]

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Answer 2

Salem, Massachusetts [1]
February 1775 [1]

Question 3

Why was the resistance of General Gage’s men at Salem significant? [1]

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Answer 3

America was now also willing to openly resist British soldiers on duty. [1]

Question 4

When did the Battle of Lexington and Concord occur? [1]

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Answer 4

18th April 1775 [1]

Question 5

State the number of soldiers, the Colonel in charge, and purpose of Lexington and Concord [3]

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Answer 5

Soldiers - 700 men. [1]
Colonel Smith. [1]
Purpose - Seize rebel arms and arrest leaders of the Provincial Congress. [1]

Question 6

How did the Massachusetts militia know that Gage had sent men to their position? [2]

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Answer 6

Paul Revere had informed the militia [1], as he was part of the Boston Committee of Safety. [1]

Question 7

In order, describe the events that occured during the Battle of Lexington and Concord. [3]

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Answer 7

19th April - Path barred by 70 minutemen. 8 colonists killed. [1]
Smith’s troops ambushed at Concord. Lord Percy reinforces Smith at Lexington. [1]
Forces continue to retreat back to Boston. [1]

Question 8

How many casualties did Britain sustain in the Battle of Lexington and Concord, compared to the militias? [2]

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Answer 8

British - 273 casualties. [1]
Militias - 92 casualties [1]

Question 9

When did the Battle of Bunker Hill occur? [1]

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Answer 9

17th June 1775 [1]

Question 10

Describe the events of Bunker Hill [3]

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Answer 10

General Howe launched a frontal assault on Breed’s Hill with 2500 men [1] and the rebels managed to inflict heavy losses [1] but were soon overrun due to a lack of ammunition. [1]

Question 11

State the number of rebel casualties in the Battle of Bunker Hill. [2]

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Answer 11

138 killed [1]
276 wounded [1]

Question 12

State the number of British casualties in the Battle of Bunker Hill. [3]

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Answer 12

226 killed [1]
800 wounded [1]
1/8 of British officers killed. [1]

Question 13

Which quote stated from General Gage represents the strength of the rebel army? [1]

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Answer 13

“The rebels are not the despicable rabble too many have supposed them to be” [1]

Question 14

What was the importance of Bunker Hill in relation to increasing hostilities? [3]

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Answer 14

• Heavy losses at Bunker Hill made reconciliation harder. [1]
• Montgomery gained confidence to launch an invasion of Canada on the 31st December. [1]
• Bunker Hill was seen as the unofficial start of the War of Independence. [1]

Question 15

What was the role of Paul Revere before and during the War of Independence? [2]

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Answer 15

• (Before) - Produced propaganda to incriminate the British (e.g. Boston Massacre 1770) [1]
• (After) - Warned the patriots of British advance onto Concord on the 18th April 1774. [1]

Question 16

Describe 3 reasons why there was a high chance of Britain regaining control over America? [3]

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Answer 16

• Britain had an army of over 48,000 men. [1]
• The Continental army was not secure, as many fighters deserted or left after their contracts ended. [1]
• There were large numbers of loyalists and Native Americans opposing the war. [1]

Question 17

Describe the role of the “minutemen” and their role at Lexington. [4]

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Answer 17

• Younger colonists ready to take action “at a minute’s notice” [1]
• Organised in companies of 50 [1]
• Elected their own officers.
• 4000 minutemen resisted the British at Lexington. [1]