Chapter 3.1 Flashcards
Philadelphia May 10, 1775 what was held and who was there?
Second Continental Congress; all 13 colonies represented. NO well-defined call for independence: Loyalty to the empire was deeply ingrained.
What was the single most important action involving George Washington?
To select George Washington leader of the improvised army (age 43); outstanding leadership and strong character; a symbol and rallying point
Why did Prudence suggested a commander from Virginia?
because of distrust of large NE militia
What was the American contradiction?
affirming loyalty to England and desire to solve problems; raising armies and shooting His Majesty’s soldiers: war of inconsistency from April 1775 to July 1776
On May 1775: tiny force under which 2 people? and what did they do?
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Fort
Ticonderoga; gunpowder and artillery secured
What did colonists seize on June 1775? What happened?
Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill); British launched frontal attack against strongly entrenched Americans; British slaughtered; Colonists gunpowder ran out and retreated
What happened following bunker hill?
August 1775 King George III proclaimed the colonies in
rebellion; Hired thousands of German mercenary troops (Hessian’s)
What did Richard Henry Lee of Virginia move (say?) during the 2nd Continental Congress: June 7, 1776?
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia moved that “These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states” [ dude basically said that the colonies have a right to become free and Independent states]
What 5 men were on the “Declaration Committee” on June 11?
Thomas Jefferson of VA, Roger Sherman of CT, Benjamin Franklin of PA, Robert Livingston of NY, John Adams of Mass
Draft fell to Jefferson; 31-year-old lawyer; After considerable debate, motion was adopted and what was approved by congress on July 2, 1776? What were the colonists now accused of?
The Declaration of Independence. Colonists accused of committing treason. For those who don’t know: (the crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government)
What was War of Independence?
Civil war between two factions of Americans as well as a war between Americans and the British
What is another name for the American Rebels? Who did they fight and what were they called?
Patriots or Whigs. fought Americans loyal to the king,
called “Tories”; Revolution was a minority movement; many colonists apathetic or neutral
What are Loyalists? and what percent of Americans were loyalists?
People who stay true to the king. Only 15% of the American people remained loyal.
What happened to a lot of the loyalists?
About 80,000 Loyalists were driven out or fled the country; estates confiscated.
How did the British attempt to win the war?
with overpowering force of men and cannon in a land that was not made for it;
How did the Americans fight to win the war?
Americans fought a guerrilla war until trained to fight conventional battles.
What was wrong with the british tactics?
British not aggressive enough, made many mistakes and lost opportunities.
What did Washington finally realized ?
THAT ALL HE NEEDED TO DO WAS KEEP HIS ARMY INTACT. All them niggas had to do was not lose until British gave up /and or French helped.
October 17, 1777: American general Horatio Gates won what? Proved and convinced what?
vital Battle of Saratoga; proved Americans could win a big battle and convinced France to support the Americans;( France eager for revenge against England, [not American Independence])
What did France do for the Americans?
provided them with life-saving supplies of firearms; (90 percent of gunpowder used by Americans in first 2.5 years came from French.)
1778 to 1783, France provided …?
Guns, money, ½ America’s armed forces; almost all navy
1778 war - 1779 war- America became secondary for what?
Britain and France to war 1778; Spain and Holland against Britain in 1779; America became secondary for a Britain struggling for its very life in Europe
What was overrun in 1778-1779 and what fell to the British in 1780?
Georgia ruthlessly overrun in 1778-1779. Charleston, South Carolina, fell to British in 1780.
What did Benedict Arnold do? WHY?
Became a Traitor. He was ambitious; felt unappreciated; sold out defense plans to West Point fort but detected at the last minute
