Lesson 5: Winning Independence Flashcards
Ally Definition
a nation that works with another nation for a common purpose
Battle of Cowpens Definition
a 1781 battle in South Carolina that was an important American victory over the British
Battle of Long Island Definition
a 1776 battle in New York in which more than 1,400 colonists were killed, wounded, or captured
Battle of Saratoga Definition
a 1777 battle that was the first decisive American victory in the Revolution
Battle of Trenton Definition
a 1776 battle in New Jersey in which George Washington’s troops captured a British encampment
Battle of Yorktown Definition
the 1781 American victory in Virginia that forced the British to surrender
Cavalry Definition
troops on horseback
Friedrich von Steuben Definition
a German officer who trained General Washington’s troops during the winter at Valley Forge. His methods and training manual became standard for American troops.
Guerrilla Definition
a fighter who uses hit-and-run attacks
Haym Salomon Definition
a Jewish financier who aided the fight for independence during the American Revolution. He was born in Poland and immigrated to New York City in 1772.
James Armistead Definition
an enslaved African American who spied for General Lafayette during the American Revolution. His efforts were so successful that he was rewarded with his freedom and eventually, with a veteran’s pension.
Marquis de Lafayette Definition
a French aristocrat who fought with the Patriots against the British during the War for Independence.
Nathan Hale
a young American Revolutionary hero from Connecticut who was captured by the British and hung without trial. Tradition says that before he died he said: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
Ratify Definition
to give official approval
Siege Definition
a military blockade or encirclement of an enemy town or position with the purpose of forcing it to surrender
Valley Forge Definition
the Pennsylvania site of Washington’s Continental Army encampment during the winter of 1777–1778
Wentworth Cheswell Definition
a free African American who fought for independence during the American Revolution, the grandson of a slave, and an educated, regularly elected town leader in New Hampshire.
Wentworth Cheswell Definition
a free African American who fought for independence during the American Revolution, the grandson of a slave, and an educated, regularly elected town leader in New Hampshire.
What was the British response to the Continental Congress’s vote for independence in July 1776? How did the armies compare?
The British began landing troops in New York in the same month that the Continental Congress voted for independence, July 1776. General George Washington, expecting the attack, had led his forces south from Boston to New York City. His army, however, was no match for the British under the command of General Howe. Howe had about 34,000 troops and 10,000 sailors. He also had ships to ferry them ashore. Washington had fewer than 20,000 poorly trained troops, which he spread in various locations to defend New York. Worse, he had no navy.
What happened in the Battle of Long Island in 1776?
In August, Howe’s army landed on Long Island. In the Battle of Long Island, more than 1,400 Americans were killed, wounded, or captured. The rest retreated to Manhattan. The British pursued. To avoid capture, Washington hurried north.
What was the result of Washington crossing the Hudson River into New Jersey?
Throughout the autumn, Washington fought a series of battles with Howe’s army. In November, he crossed the Hudson River into New Jersey. Chased by the British, the Americans retreated across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.
What did Nathan Hale do for the Patriots? What ended up happening to him?
During the campaign for New York, Washington needed information about Howe’s forces. Nathan Hale, a young Connecticut officer, volunteered to go behind British lines. On his way back with the information, Hale was seized by the British and searched. Hidden in the soles of his shoes was information about British troop movements. There was no trial. Howe ordered Hale to be hanged the next morning. As Hale walked to the gallows, he is said to have declared: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
What did Haym Salomon do to support the cause of the Americans?
Even as Washington’s army retreated and the British took New York City, many people there remained as loyal to the American cause as Hale. Haym Salomon (HY um SAL uh mun), a Jewish immigrant from Poland, was arrested by the British in September of 1776 and thrown into prison. Salomon had supported the American cause from the start, helping the new government get loans. Salomon even gave his own money to soldiers and military units for equipment. He managed to escape to Philadelphia and continued to aid the fight for independence.
What state were Washington’s troops in during the December of 1776?
Months of hard campaigning took a toll on the Continental Army. In December 1776, Washington described his troops as sick, dirty, and “so thinly clad as to be unfit for service.” Every day, soldiers deserted. Washington wrote to his brother: “I am wearied to death. I think the game is pretty near up.”
What happened at the Battle of Trenton?
Washington decided on a bold move: a surprise attack on Trenton, New Jersey. The Delaware River separated the British in Trenton and the Americans, and the soldiers guarding Trenton would not expect American troops to cross it. On Christmas night, Washington secretly led his troops across the icy river. Soldiers shivered as spray from the river froze on their faces. Once ashore, they marched through swirling snow. Some had no shoes. They tied rags around their feet. “Soldiers, keep by your officers,” Washington urged. Early on December 26, the Americans surprised the Hessian troops guarding Trenton and took most of them prisoner. The Hessians were soldiers from Germany. An American summed up the Battle of Trenton: “Hessian population of Trenton at 8 A.M.—1,408 men and 39 officers; Hessian population at 9 A.M.—0.”
Why did the British hire Hessian mercenaries? Where were the British during the Battle of Trenton?
The British hired Hessian mercenaries to compensate for a shortage of British troops. At the time, British troops were fighting in other wars.
How did Washington trick Cornwallis after the Battle of Trenton on January 2, 1777? How did the American victories at Trenton and Princeton influence the patriots? Where did the Patriots move after Princeton?
British General Charles Cornwallis set out at once to retake Trenton and to capture Washington. Late on January 2, 1777, he saw the lights of Washington’s campfires. “At last we have run down the old fox,” he said, “and we will bag him in the morning.” Washington fooled Cornwallis. He left the fires burning and slipped behind British lines to attack a British force that was marching toward Princeton. There, the Continental Army won another victory. From Princeton, Washington moved to Morristown, where the army would spend the winter. The victories at Trenton and Princeton gave the Americans new hope.
In Early 1777, what plan did British General John Burgoyne present for British victory?
In London, British officials were dismayed by the army’s failure to crush the rebels. Early in 1777, General John Burgoyne (bur GOIN) presented a new plan for victory. If British troops cut off New England from the other colonies, he argued, the war would soon be over.
What did Burgoyne want General Howe to do to fulfill his plan?
Burgoyne wanted three British armies to march on Albany, New York, from different directions. They would crush American forces there. Once they controlled the Hudson River, the British could stop the flow of soldiers and supplies from New England to Washington’s army. Burgoyne’s plan called for General Howe to march on Albany from New York City. George III, however, wanted Howe to capture Philadelphia first.
What did Howe do in July 1777? Where did Washington retreat to?
In July 1777, Howe sailed from New York to the Chesapeake Bay, where he began his march on Philadelphia. Howe captured Philadelphia, defeating the Americans at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. But instead of moving toward Albany to meet Burgoyne as planned, he retired to comfortable quarters in Philadelphia for the winter. For his part, Washington retreated to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
What were British armies under Burgoyne and Barry St. Leger doing while General Howe was capturing Philadelphia?
Meanwhile, British armies under Burgoyne and Barry St. Leger (lay ZHAIR) marched from Canada toward Albany. St. Leger tried to take Fort Stanwix. However, a strong American army, led by Benedict Arnold, drove him back.
What happened in the Battles of Saratoga and the Battle of Bennington? What was the Battle of Saratoga’s significance?
Only Burgoyne was left to march on Albany. His army moved slowly because it had many heavy baggage carts to drag through the woods. To slow Burgoyne further, Patriots cut down trees and dammed up streams to block the route. Despite these obstacles, Burgoyne recaptured Fort Ticonderoga, shocking Americans. However, he delayed at the fort, giving American forces time to regroup. He also sent troops into Vermont to find food and horses. There, Patriots attacked the redcoats. At the Battle of Bennington, they wounded or captured nearly 1,000 British.
Burgoyne’s troubles grew. The Green Mountain Boys hurried into New York to help American forces there. At the village of Saratoga, the Americans surrounded the British. When Burgoyne tried to break free, the Americans beat him back. Realizing that he was trapped, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to the Americans on October 17, 1777. The American victory at the Battle of Saratoga was a major turning point in the war.
Why was the Battle of Saratoga a major turning point?
It ended the British threat to New England. It boosted American spirits at a time when Washington’s army was suffering defeats. Most importantly, it convinced France to become an ally of the United States. Nations that are allies work together to achieve a common goal.
How many allies did the Battle of Saratoga provide? What did they do to help?
The Continental Congress had long hoped for French aid. In 1776, the Congress had sent Benjamin Franklin to Paris to persuade Louis XVI, the French king, to give the Americans weapons and other badly needed supplies. In addition, the Congress wanted France to declare war on Britain.
The French were eager to defeat Britain, but they were also cautious. France was still angry about its defeat at British hands in the French and Indian War. However, Louis XVI did not want to help the Americans openly unless he was sure that they could win. The American victory at Saratoga convinced France that the United States could stand up to Britain. In February 1778, France became the first nation to sign a treaty with the United States. It recognized the new nation and agreed to provide military aid. Later, the Netherlands and Spain also joined in the war against Britain. France, the Netherlands, and Spain all provided loans to the United States. Even before European nations agreed to help the United States, individual volunteers had been coming from Europe to join the American cause. Some became leading officers in the American army.
How was Marquis de Lafayette’s relationship with Washington?
The Marquis de Lafayette (mar KEE dah lah fay ET), a young French noble, convinced France to send several thousand trained soldiers to help the Patriot cause. Lafayette, who fought at Brandywine, became one of Washington’s most trusted friends.
