Chapter 3 - Why did the British fail to suppress the revolt in it's early stages of the war 1775-77? Flashcards
Describe 4 strengths that the British had by early 1776. [4]
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- Britain had 8 million people, compared to 2.5 million in the colonies. [1]
- Britain had the support of at least 500,000 loyalists. [1]
- Lord Sandwich, First Lord of the Admiralty, had drive to retain naval domination. [1]
- Lord George Germain, Colonial secretary from Nov 1775, coordinated British war effort. [1]
Describe 3 weaknesses that the British had by 1776. [3]
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- Britain fought the war 3000 miles from home. It took 3 months to deliver supplies. [1]
- Britain’s army was under-strength, with only about 36,000 troops rather than 50,000.
- Hessian troops, who were brutal, turned loyalists away from Britain. [1]
Describe 2 American advantages that they had by 1776. [2]
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- The militia was large and took part in many battles. Over 100,000 served at some point during the war. [1]
- Congress had 2000 privateers (Private vessels) which disrupted British merchants. [1]
Describe 2 American problems that they had by 1776. [2]
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- Washington’s army never exceed 20,000. He barely had 5000 troops at a time. [1]
- Most militiamen only served for a few weeks before leaving, which impacted numbers. [1]
State 2 problems Britain faced while compiling strategy to defeat the colonial army. [2]
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- Britain had to rely on themselves for supplies, as population was generally hostile. [1]
- There was no obvious political/economic centre for Britain to target. [1]
Describe the “Seaboard Strategy” [3]
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- A strategy of gaining control of American ports [1]
- and blockading the coastline [1]
- so operating and fighting inland was less problematic. [1]
State 2 problems with the “Seaboard Strategy”. [2]
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- This strategy would lose loyalists support in America. [1]
- A decisive victory was needed. A seaboard strategy would draw the war out. [1]
What were the 3 main strategies that were available to Washington in order to defeat the British? [3]
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- Guerilla Warfare [1]
- “War of Posts” - Fighting tactical engagements, then withdrawing, wearing the British down. [1]
- Pitched battle - Confronting the British head on. [1]
Initially, which strategy did Washington favour and why? [2]
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- Favoured pitched battles. [1]
- Historian Joseph Ellis quotes “He regarded battle as a summons to display one’s strength and courage.” [1]
Describe the nature of the loyalist groups. [2]
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- Many loyalists had strong links with Britain. [1]
- Many loyalists were from minority groups, such as backcountry men. [1]
How many loyalist’s enlisted in the British Army by 1783? [1]
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19000 men [1]
What was the main problem concerning loyalists and their coherence? [3]
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- Loyalists were unable to organize themselves on a large scale [1]
- as many had varying motivations. [1]
- so they relied on Britain to provide leadership. [1]
Referring to historian Stephen Conway (1995), explain 3 reasons why the War of Independence may have been the first modern war. [3]
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- The continental army was the first to openly use meritocracy in it’s regular and officer ranks. [1]
- After 1778, Britain was mobilising 1 in 7 fit men to fight in America. [1]
- Americans made good use of the rifle, with a range of 200m. [1]
Referring to historian Piers Mackesy (1964), explain 2 reasons why the War of Independence may have been a traditional war. [2]
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- British and continental armies fought in the traditional manner (e.g. pitched battles) [1]
- Nationalism was not a new concept in fighting armies before the war. [1]
What were General Howes plans on March 1776? [2]
- Planning an attack on New York [1]
- Hoping to defeat Washington’s army, then negotiate peace. [1]
When did the Battle of Long Island occur? [1]
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27th August 1776 [1]
What was the results for the Battle of Long Island? [3]
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- American loss [1]
- America had 2000 casualties. [1]
- Washington retreats army to the mainland. [1]
What happened when General Howe attempted to negotiate peace? [3]
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- September 1776 [1]
- Howe met representatives of Congress. [1]
- Congress stood by the Declaration of Independence. [1]
How did General Howe respond to the refusal of peace from Congress? [3]
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- 16th November - British capture Fort Washington [1]
- taking 3000 Americans prisoner. [1]
- Howe then offered a “free and general pardon” to those who would fight with the British. [1]
When did the Battle of Trenton and Princeton take place? [2]
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Trenton - 26th December 1776 [1]
Princeton - 3rd January 1777 [1]
Describe the events of Trenton. [4]
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- General Howe went into winter quarters after capturing Newport. [1]
- Washington recrossed the Delaware river with 1600 men on the 25th December 1776 [1]
- Attacked the garrison at Trenton, defended by Hessian troops. [1]
- Over 1000 British prisoners, only 4 Americans wounded. [1]
How did the attacks at Trenton and Princeton cause a change in Washington’s strategy? [2]
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- Washington realized he needed to adopt a more defensive strategy. [1]
- as Howe’s army outnumbered Washington’s army. [1]
What was the main plan for General Howe and Burgoyne’s armies in 1777? [3]
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General Howe and Burgoyne would link armies together [1] in order to isolate New England colonies. [1]. General Burgoyne would approach from the Hudson Valley. [1]
When did the Battle of Brandywine Creek occur? [1]
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11th September 1777 [1]
Describe the events leading up to the Battle of Brandywine. [3]
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- Howe moved 15,000 men on ships towards Philadelphia in July 1777. [1]
- Howe defeats Washington at Brandywine on the 11th September. [1]
- Americans suffer 1200 casualties, Britain only 600. [1]
When did the Battle of Germantown occur? [1]
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4th October 1777 [1]
Describe the events of the Battle of Germantown. [4]
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- Washington attempts a counter-attack at Germantown. [1]
- This is unsuccessful, as he suffers 1000 casualties, Britain only 500. [1]
- Washington withdrew to Valley Forge for the winter. [1]
- Howe did not pursue Washington’s army. [1]
What was the aim of Burgoyne’s campaign? [1]
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To attempt to gain any possible loyalist support. [1]
Explain why Burgoyne’s campaign was not successful. [3]
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- Native Americans (e.g. Iriquois) alienated loyalists. [1]
- e.g. scalping of Jane Mccrea shocked many. [1]
- Iriquois tribe left after being demanded to surrender the culprit. [1]
What was the consequence of Native American’s departure for Burgoyne? [2]
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- He had to spend a month collecting supplies. [1]
- 600 troops on a foraging mission were killed at Bennington on the 15th August 1777. [1]
Why couldn’t St Leger reinforce Burgoyne from Canada? [3]
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- St Leger, with 1600 men, attacked Fort Stanwix. [1]
- Local militia forces began to exhaust the 1600 men. [1]
- Native American allies left due to the nature of the siege, forcing St Leger to retreat to Canada [1]
When did the Battle of Saratoga take place? [1]
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14th October 1777 [1]
Describe the events leading up to Saratoga. [4]
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- Burgoyne advances onto Albany, where General Gates was waiting. [1]
- (19th Sep) - Fighting at Freeman’s farm. Gates won. [1]
- (7th Oct) - Burgoyne attacks Bemis Heights. Burgoyne suffers 400 casualties. [1]
- Burgoyne then retreats to Saratoga after. [1]
What was Burgoyne forced into when being surrounded at Saratoga? [2]
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- Forced into surrendering his men. [1]
- 5895 troops were taken by Gates as POW’s [1]
Explain one reason which led to Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga. [3]
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- Inaction of General Clinton to reinforce Burgoyne. [1]
- Left Canada with 3000 men on October 3rd. [1]
- Failed to reinforce Burgoyne at Bemis Heights. [1]
State 3 consequences of the surrender at Saratoga. [3]
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- (Feb 1778) - North’s Conciliatory Propositions - revoked the Coercive Acts. [1]
- Saratoga encouraged countries such as France and Spain to join the war. [1]
- Peace talks began to take place. [1]
