Key figures in the revolutionary war

Question 1

Marquis De Lafayette

Answer 1

General in the American revolutionary war
Served as a major general in the continental army under Washington
Wounded during the battle of Brandywine yet still managed to organise a successful retreat
Mid war he returned to France to negotiate further French support
Most important link between American and French relations

Question 2

General Gage

Answer 2

Professional soldier who served in the seven year war
Commander in chief after 1763 after Stamp tax agitation
Considerable losses during a nightmare battle from Concord back to Boston
City of Boston was then besieged by thousands of militia men from across New England penning Gage and his forces
Couldnt defeat troops at breeds hill and relied on help from Howe
Failed to counter on colonists lack of ammunition

Question 3

George Washington

Answer 3

Commander in chief of the colonial army
Persistent in the face of difficulties and had ability to master logistics- kept army in tact and maintained their morale
Renowned for swift victories and aggressive tactics e.g. The Battle of Trenton
By keeping his army a fighting force he allowed war to continue and reaped the benefits of a flawed GB strategy
1st ever US president

Question 4

General William Howe

Answer 4

Professional soldier who fought in the seven years war and was sent to reinforce Gage in 1775
He gained a costly victory at Bunker hill and took over from Gage as Commander in chief
Despite victories at New York and Philadelphia he failed to suppress the rebellion and left America in 1778
Became known for his role in the capture of Quebec in 1759
Poor campaign planning in 1777 contributed to the failure in Saratoga which played a major role in Frances entry to the war

Question 5

Alexander Hamilton

Answer 5

Fought in the war and became an aide to Washington
He shared with him the hardships of Valley forge
He urged a stronger gov in the federalist papers and became Washingtons secretary of the treasury in 1789 because of his experience as a banker and lawyer
His financial reforms strengthened the new state but caused divisions
He was influential during John Adams presidency but fell out with the vice president Aaron Burr by whom he was killed in a duel in 1804