Lesson 3-3: Struggling toward Saratoga

Question 1

When the British retreated from Boston in 1776, where did they move the war?

Answer 1

To the Middle States

Question 2

Where did the British decide to capture, as a part of the plan to stop the rebellion by isolating New England?

Answer 2

New York City

Question 3

Which two generals joined forces on Staten Island?

Answer 3

Brothers General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe

Question 4

The Howe Brothers sailed into New York Harbor with 32,000 soldiers, accompanied by whom?

Answer 4

German mercenaries = Soldiers who fought only for money
- The colonists called these troops Hessians, because most of them hailed from the German region of Hesse.

Question 5

The British eventually pushed Washington’s army where after their (the Patriots’) loss of New York?

Answer 5

Across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania

Question 6

George Washington, an early supporter of American independence, began assembling and training a militia as soon as tensions began to arise with Britain. What did he do about the British plan to seize New York?

Answer 6

He assembled about 23,000 soldiers in its defense, but the was outnumbered.

Question 7

By this time (the crossing of the Delaware), how many troops remained under Washington’s command?

Answer 7

Around 8,000; most either deserted, were killed, or were captured.

Question 8

Washington’s soldiers’ terms of enlistment ended on December 31. What did Washington do to keep them from going home?

Answer 8

He boldly crossed the icy Delaware with 2,400 of them on Christmas night, 1776.

Question 9

What did Washington and his soldiers do once they crossed the Delaware?

Answer 9

They marched nine miles through sleet and snow to reach their objective: Trenton. They surprised the Hessian troops there, who were hungover, and the Patriots won the Battle of Trenton.

Question 10

In the spring of 1777, General William Howe began his campaign to take over Philadelphia, the capital of the United States at the time. What did he do to achieve this?

Answer 10

• He and his troops sailed to the head of the Chesapeake Bay
• Landed in Philadelphia in/around August
• The Second Continental Congress fled
• Washington tried to block the British, but failed
• The British took over the city, and Howe settled in to enjoy the gratitude and hospitality of the city’s Loyalists

Question 11

What was Burgoyne’s plan?

Answer 11

1) Lead his army from Canada to Albany
2) There he would meet Howe’s troops coming in from New York City
3) They would work together to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies.

Question 12

What was the FIRST disadvantage for Burgoyne, headed to Albany?

Answer 12

1) Burgoyne’s army was already worn-out on the journey from Canada to Albany, because they had to travel through rough terrain and carried many heavy personal items. Food supplies started to wear out.

Question 13

What was the major problem for Burgoyne once he made into the state of New York?

Answer 13

General Horatio Gates placed soldiers all throughout the state of New York and also in New England. Burgoyne continued to lose soldiers every time he clashed with the Americans.

Question 14

(Additional) What happened to Burgoyne in present-day Vermont?

Answer 14

Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys attacked Burgoyne and his militia at Bennington.

Question 15

What was the FINAL straw that led to Burgoyne’s demise at Saratoga?

Answer 15

He did not realize that General Howe was not coming to meet him at Albany, as he was preoccupied enjoying the gratitude of the Loyalists in Philadelphia.

Question 16

When did Burgoyne finally surrender his troops at Saratoga?

Answer 16

October 17, 1777

Question 16

How did British military strategy change after the Battle of Saratoga?

Answer 16

The British kept their troops along the coast after this battle, so that they would be closer to the British fleet, its supply bases, and its “big guns.”

Question 17

What actually began the American-French alliance?

Answer 17

The French sending weapons to the Patriots in early 1776 (they did this in secret.)

Question 18

When did France sign an alliance with the Americans, in which they promised not to make peace with Britain unless Britain recognized the United States of America as an independent nation?

Answer 18

February 1778

Question 19

While the British were wintering comfortably and enjoying their control of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and New England, and while the Americans were waiting for French aid, where were Washington and his army?

Answer 19

Barely surviving at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Question 20

Albigense Waldo

Answer 20

A surgeon at Valley Forge who worked tirelessly to save arms and legs that had been taken over by frost bite.

Question 21

What were some issues of the Congress during the Revolutionary War?

Answer 21

1) Financing the war
2) Battling inflation
3) Equipping the army
4) Fighting profiteers

Question 22

Briefly explain the finances of the United States of America during the Revolutionary War:

Answer 22

• When the Congress ran out of hard money (gold and silver), they compensated by selling bonds to investors and foreign governments (especially France)
• The Congress printed out paper money, called Continentals, which became useless at the war’s end.
• The more and more money (Continentals) that the Congress printed, the more its value plunged, and inflation arose.

Question 23

How did the Congress equip the army during the Revolutionary War?

Answer 23

• There were only a few munitions factories
• The British navy was blocking the coast
• The Americans had to smuggle weapons/arms from Europe

Question 24

Profiteering

Answer 24

Selling scarce goods for a profit.

Question 25

What did some corrupt merchants do during the war?

Answer 25

1) Hoarded goods
2) Sold defective merchandise (such as spoiled meat, cheap shoes, and defective weapons)

Question 25

In 1781, who did the Congress appoint as superintendent of finance?

Answer 25

A rich Philadelphia merchant named Robert Morris

Question 26

Who was Morris’ associate?

Answer 26

Haym Salomon, a Jewish political refugee from Poland.

Question 27

What did Morris and Salomon do in order to garner money to finance the Revolutionary War in the United States?

Answer 27

They “begged and borrowed” on their own personal credit to raise money and provide salaries for the Continental Army.

Question 28

From whom did the two men raise funds?

Answer 28

1) The Quakers
2) The Jews

Question 29

What came about as a result of Morris and Salomon’s hard work?

Answer 29

On September 8, 1781, the soldiers of the Continental Army were paid in specie, or gold coins.

Question 30

How were civilians (mainly women) affected by the war?

Answer 30

When the men went off to battle, the wives had to manage farms and businesses, in addition to managing their households and raising their children.

Question 31

Sarah Franklin Bache

Answer 31

Benjamin Franklin’s daughter, who organized a group of volunteers to mend soldiers’ clothing.

Question 31

What did some women do during the war that was considered unconventional at the time?

Answer 31

Followed their husbands on the battlefield, where they became nurses, washers, sewers, and cooks for the troops.
- Some women even fought in battle (examples: Molly Pitcher, Margaret Corbin, Deborah Sampson)

Question 32

What were the slaves doing during the commotion of the Revolutionary War?

Answer 32

Thousands escaped from slavery.

Question 33

Where did the slaves, now free, go after they escaped?

Answer 33

• Some went to the cities, where they were able to pass as free people (possibly with some suspicion)
• Others went to the frontier, where they joined Native American tribes

Question 34

Did any African Americans serve in the Continental Army?

Answer 34

Yes; some 5,000 African American soldiers served, and their courage, integrity, and talent, and loyalty impressed the white soldiers.

Question 34

How were Native Americans involved in the Revolutionary War?

Answer 34

They usually remained on the outskirts of the Revolution; some fought for the British, while most remained separated from the conflict.