Naval Science 2 Flashcards
What concept gave protection to U.S. merchant ships from German U-boats during World War I?
The convoy system.
What is the purpose of a navy?
To defeat hostile enemies, clear the seas of pirates, and support trade.
How did the Phoenicians contribute to Western society?
Established the first written alphabet system.
Why did the British parliament begin to lay burdensome taxes on American colonies?
The British were severely in debt after the Seven Years’ War and believed the colonies had yet to pay their fair share.
Which two countries fought in the Seven Years’ War?
Great Britain & France.
How did the Seven Years’ War end?
Treaty of Paris of 1763; Great Britain won.
What is the role of the Merchant Marines?
To transport cargo & personnel, and operate & maintain deep-sea merchant ships.
What goods were exchanged for slaves during the Slave Trade?
Rum.
How was most of the wealth and prosperity in Great Britain brought about in the 1700s?
Slavery.
What battle occurred in 1836 Texas after Americans moved onto Mexican land?
The Battle of the Alamo.
What was the outcome of the Battle of San Jacinto?
Mexican General Santa Anna recognized Texan independence.
What happened to the Articles of Confederation in 1789?
They were replaced with the Constitution.
What happened to the US Navy after the Civil War?
It needed to be rebuilt. The first battleships were made: USS Texas & USS Maine, though only for coastal defense.
What imposition on foreign trade was imposed in the 1790s by America?
Tariffs
What lucrative market was begun out of 1790s Nantucket?
Whaling
What was the primary reason for the Civil War?
A disagreement over the rights of slaves and whether slavery is constitutional.
What was the significance of the Battle of Vicksburg?
The Union gained possession of the Mississippi River. This was part of Operation Anaconda and cut off Confederate trade.
What was Alfred Mahan’s Theory of the Navy?
Whichever nation has control (military and commercial) of the seas will determine the outcome of a war. He believed that command of the seas created the British empire.
Why was the Panama Canal constructed?
To connect the Pacific & Atlantic Oceans. It provided trade routes and still today serves as one of the most important connections in the seas.
What was the turning point of the Civil War?
The Battle of Gettysburg (Confederates declare they won’t invade the North) & The Fall of Vicksburg (control of the Mississippi).
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
What is the highest readiness condition?
DEFCON 1 (Defense Condition)
What was Richard Nixon’s plan to end American involvement in the Vietnam War?
Vietnamization
What country was involved with Operation Desert Shield?
Saudi Arabia
What countries were involved with Operation Desert Storm?
Kuwait, Iraq
What is the intentional intrusion into computers or computer networks by agencies or foreign government for the purpose of espionage or sabotage?
Cyber Warfare
What natural disaster occured in Haiti in 2010?
Earthquake
Where was Osama Bin Laden found?
In a walled compound in Pakistan
What is a ring-shaped coral reef or a string of closely spaced small coral islands, enclosing or nearly enclosing a shallow lagoon?
Atoll
What two provocative practices by North Korea escalated tensions with the United States?
Uranium enrichment and long range missile development programs
What device is used to find the depth of water?
Echo sounder
What is the mission of missile defense agency (MDA)?
The defense of the United States against incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM)
Why was the US Cyber Command formed?
In response to the possible threat to national security by cyber attacks to military services
What type of attack did the Chinese government carry out on a US government agency in 2005?
Cyber Attack
What is ransomware?
A type of malware that denies access by preventing access to files until a ransom is paid
What type of material, found in the ocean, consists of loose sediment such as stone fragements and silt?
Detritus
What is the deepest oceanic trench found on Earth, located in the Pacific Ocean?
Mariana Trench
Which part of the Earth’s layers do the continental plates float on?
Lithosphere
What device measures the intensity of earthquakes?
Seismograph
What natural disaster occurs due to movement of tectonic plates along fault lines?
Earthquakes
Who is the greatest naval hero of the Revolutionary War?
John Paul Jones
Who fought the 2 most famous battles of the Quasi-war?
Thomas Truxton
Define Sea Power
A nation’s ability to use the sea to meet its military and economic needs
First to use sea power ?
Crete (south of Greece) along the Aegean Sea
Second civilization to master sea power?
Phoenicians (Lebanon) along North Africa and Mediterranean Sea
What did the Phoenicians trade?
tin from Britain, amber from the baltic sea, ivory from West Africa
Great ports of the Phoenicians?
Tyre and Sidon
What were the next great sea powers after the Phoenicians declined?
Greek city-states
Who all wrote about the Trojan War?
Herodotus, Thucydides, and Homer
What was the Trojan War?
Fought to take control of the HELLSPONT (modern Dardanelles) to take control of the Aegan-Black Sea Trade
What are galleys?
Used by earliest navies and are fighting vessels mainly propelled by oars with one or two sails crewed by trained fighting men
What two territories were the Greeks forced to withdraw from (~492 BC)
Thrace and Macedonia
What Persian king wanted to conquer the Greeks once and for all ?
King Xerxes
Who was the Greek Commander against the Persians?
Themistocles
What is a sea line of communication?
A sea route traversed by support forces
What are multidecked war galley?
triremes
At what place where the Greeks destroyed by the Persians?
Thermopylae
Who won at the end between the Persians and the Greeks?
Greeks
What made the Golden Age of Athens happen?
The sea battle at Salamis
What was born during the Golden Age of Athens?
Democracy
Who was mainly responsible for spreading Greek culture?
Alexander the Great of Macedonia (Tutor –> Aristotle)
Who was the rising sea power in the Western Mediterranean?
Carthage, city-state in North Africa founded by the Phoenicians
Who was the rising sea power in the Italian Peninsula?
Rome, took over Italy and absorbed Greek culture
What were the Punic Wars?
Conflicts between Carthage and Rome in Sicily over sea power
What was the result of the First Punic War?
Island of Sicily as a provice to Rome
What was the result of the Second Punic War?
Rome gained Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and parts of Southern France)
What was the result of the Third Punic War?
Carthage was burnt and destroyed
What was the Battle of Actium?
Roman admiral Agrippa destroyed Egyptian fleet; bought entire eastern mediterranean into the roman empire
What is Mare Nostrum
Our sea
What is Pax Romana
Roman peace, longest period of peace is world history
Who spread Christianity through Roman and Persian empires?
Byzantines
Who introduced Islam?
Prophet Mohammad at Mecca
Easten Part of Roman Empire?
Byzantine Empire ruled by Roman Emperor Constantine I with capital at Constantinople (Istanbul)
Western Part of Roman Empire?
Became succession of feudal states and provinces in Northern Italy under Constantine I and Frankia
Who made the Holy Roman Empire?
Frankish (France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands) king Charlemagne, crowned by Pope Leo III
What were the Middle Ages?
between 5th and 15th century when the Holy Roman Empire existed
What were the Dark Ages?
Fall of rome till 11th century, due to barbaric invasions and incursions of north african moors (muslims)
Who were the Vikings?
Came from Scandinavia explored and conducted trade in area of Europe, easter mediterranean, north atlantic regoion
What are Longships?
Long, slender wooden saiing vesseld with the shallow-daft hulls and oars that facillitate travel
What was the First Crusade?
Initiated by Pope Urban II in 1905, recaptured Jerusalem, and sweep out the muslims from the Mediterranean Sea
What was the main thrust of Muslim expansion?
Across North Africa, across western Mediterraneaninto Siciliy, and the Iberian Peninsula
What were the quasi-military campaigns that happened throughout the Middle Ages?
Against supposed heretics and schismatics ( religous ratists) in Bosnia Spain and France
What event finally united the Christian states of western Europe against the Ottomans?
The Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1570 and the subsequent atrocities committed against the former Cypriot rulers.
Who organized the Christian coalition against the Ottomans?
Pope Pius V.
What was the name of the Christian coalition formed to fight the Ottomans?
The Holy League.
Which countries were the main members of the Holy League?
Spain, Venice, and several other Christian states.
Who largely financed the Christian fleet in the Battle of Lepanto?
King Philip II of Spain.
Who commanded the Christian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto?
Don John of Austria, the half-brother of King Philip II of Spain.
Who commanded the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto?
Ali Pasha.
How many galleys did the Christian fleet have at Lepanto?
Around 200 galleys.
What were the primary sources of the Christian fleet’s galleys?
They were mostly Venetian and Spanish.
How many ships did the Ottoman fleet have?
Around 280 galleys and galliots.
How many guns did the Christian fleet have at Lepanto?
Around 1,800 guns.
How many guns did the Ottoman fleet have, and what was its main disadvantage?
Around 750 guns, with insufficient ammunition.
What was the main offensive weapon of the Christian forces?
The arquebus, an early type of musket.
What was the main offensive weapon of the Ottoman forces?
Advanced laminated bows and arrows.
How many troops did the Christian fleet carry?
Around 20,000 troops.
How many soldiers did the Ottoman fleet carry?
Around 34,000 soldiers.
Where did the Battle of Lepanto take place?
In the Gulf of Lepanto, near Patras, Greece.
What historical battle had taken place near the same location sixteen centuries earlier?
The Battle of Actium, where Agrippa defeated Antony.
What were the consequences of the battle for the Ottoman fleet?
Some 30,000 Turks were killed, and all but 60 of their ships were captured or destroyed.
How many Christian slaves were freed as a result of the battle?
About 15,000 Christian slaves.
What was the long-term effect of the Battle of Lepanto on Ottoman expansion?
It ended the Ottoman Turks’ expansion into the Mediterranean, and they never again seriously challenged control of the region.
Did Muslim forces completely stop their activities in the Mediterranean after Lepanto?
No, Muslim pirates continued to harass merchant ships for the next 250 years.
What naval era ended with the Battle of Lepanto?
The Age of the Galley.
Why did the Mediterranean cease to be the center of world maritime activity?
The Ottoman Turks’ control over the Middle East forced European nations to seek new sea routes to Asia, leading to the Age of Discovery.
What types of new ships emerged after Lepanto?
Ships with deeper drafts, high castles fore and aft, multiple masts, and stronger gunpowder weaponry.
What technological advancements helped mariners navigate open waters?
Crude magnetic compasses, improved metallurgy for weapons, and better-designed ships for ocean sailing.
What was the primary motivation for European explorers in the Age of Discovery?
They sought religious freedom, wealth, and territorial expansion for their nations.
Which nation was the first to seek a sea route to Asia?
Portugal.
Who was the Portuguese prince who initiated explorations for a route to the East?
Prince Henry the Navigator.
Which Portuguese explorer first rounded the Cape of Good Hope?
Bartolomeu Dias in 1488.
Who was the first European to sail from Portugal to India?
Vasco da Gama in 1498.
What was the effect of Vasco da Gama’s journey?
It opened a Portuguese trade route to the East Indies and China.
Which country surpassed Portugal in global influence after the Age of Discovery began?
Spain.
What was Queen Isabella’s role in Spanish exploration?
She financed Christopher Columbus’s first voyage in 1492.
What was Columbus trying to find?
A new and better all-water route to the Far East.
What was the unintended consequence of Columbus’s voyage?
He discovered the New World instead.
How did Spain benefit from Columbus’s discovery?
Spain became one of the most powerful nations in Europe due to new wealth and colonies.
How did Columbus’s misidentification of the lands affect indigenous people?
He called them “Indians,” and their populations and cultures were eventually devastated by European colonization.
How did Spain secure its treasure-laden ships from pirates?
They used convoys escorted by warships.
What economic theory dominated European politics during this time?
Mercantilism, which held that a nation’s wealth was measured by the amount of treasure in its vaults.
Why did King Philip II of Spain want to invade England?
To end English support for Protestant rebels in the Netherlands and to stop English privateers from attacking Spanish ships.
How did Queen Elizabeth I prepare for a Spanish attack?
She built up England’s navy and secretly sponsored privateers to raid Spanish ships.
Who were some of the most famous English privateers?
Sir Francis Drake, Martin Frobisher, and Sir John Hawkins.
How did Sir Francis Drake impact Spain’s economy?
He raided Spanish cities and ships, capturing vast amounts of treasure.
What was the Spanish Armada?
A massive fleet of 124 Spanish galleons, 1,100 guns, and 27,000 men sent to invade England.
Who commanded the Spanish Armada?
The Duke of Medina-Sidonia.
How did England counter the Spanish Armada?
England had a fleet of 34 men-of-war reinforced by 163 armed merchant ships, using smaller, more maneuverable warships with better cannons.
What advantage did English ships have over the Spanish Armada?
They had better maneuverability, superior cannons, and more effective naval tactics.
What tactic did England use to break the Spanish Armada’s formation?
They sent fireships into the anchored Spanish fleet at Calais.
What happened to the Spanish Armada after their retreat?
They attempted to sail around Scotland and Ireland but suffered losses from storms, hunger, and poor navigation.
What was the long-term impact of the Armada’s defeat?
It marked the beginning of Spain’s decline and allowed other European nations, especially England, to expand overseas.
What was the first successful English colony in North America?
Jamestown, Virginia, founded in 1607.
How did England finance its colonization efforts?
Through private groups that received charters from the Crown.
Which English colonies were founded for religious freedom?
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
What was the last English colony founded on the East Coast?
Georgia, in 1732.
What was the Seven Years’ War, and how did it affect the American colonies?
The Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) was a global conflict between England and France. It left Britain in debt, leading Parliament to tax the American colonies to recover war expenses.
What was the Revenue Act of 1763, and why was it significant?
The Revenue Act imposed new taxes on sugar imports to the American colonies, marking the beginning of Britain’s taxation efforts to recover war debt.
What was the Stamp Act of 1765, and why did it anger colonists?
The Stamp Act taxed all paper products. Colonists opposed it because they had no representation in Parliament, leading to the phrase “taxation without representation.”
What were the Townshend Acts of 1767?
These acts placed taxes on paper, glass, paint, lead, and tea to generate revenue for paying colonial government officials, ensuring their loyalty to Britain.
What was the Boston Massacre, and why was it important?
On March 5, 1770, British soldiers killed Crispus Attucks and other colonists in Boston. The incident was widely publicized, fueling anti-British sentiment.
What was the Boston Tea Party, and how did Britain respond?
In 1773, colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxation. Britain responded with the Coercive Acts, restricting Massachusetts’ rights.
What were the Coercive Acts, and what did they do?
The Coercive Acts, also called the Intolerable Acts, closed Boston Harbor, abolished Massachusetts’ self-government, and restricted civil liberties.
When did the American Revolution officially begin?
The war began in April 1775 when British troops and colonial militias clashed at Lexington and Concord.
What was the significance of the Battle of Bunker Hill?
Fought in June 1775, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Despite losing, colonial forces proved they could stand up to the British army.
Who was appointed commander of the Continental Army?
George Washington was appointed commander in July 1775.
What was the Olive Branch Petition, and what happened to it?
The Continental Congress sent it to King George III in July 1775, seeking a peaceful resolution. The king refused, making war inevitable.
What challenges did the British Royal Navy face during the war?
The British navy suffered from lack of shipbuilding materials from the colonies, poor funding, decayed warships, and reluctance of officers to fight fellow Englishmen.
What role did American privateers play in the war?
Privateers captured British merchant ships and disrupted British supply lines. Around 55,000 American sailors served on nearly 1,700 privateers.
Why was the long American coastline a problem for the British?
The 1,800-mile coastline was difficult to patrol, making it hard for Britain to stop smuggling and protect its merchant ships.
Who was Jeremiah O’Brien, and what was his contribution?
In June 1775, he led Maine backwoodsmen in capturing a British merchant sloop and the armed cutter Margaretta, marking the first sea battle of the Revolution.
What was Washington’s Navy, and what did it accomplish?
Washington commissioned seven ships in 1775 to capture British supplies. They seized 38 British ships carrying essential war materials.
Why was the Continental Congress hesitant to establish a navy?
Many believed colonial warships couldn’t match the Royal Navy’s power, and some thought the break with Britain would be temporary.
When was the Continental Navy officially established?
On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress approved the purchase and arming of two warships, marking the U.S. Navy’s official birth.
Who was Esek Hopkins, and what was his role?
He was the first commander of the Continental Navy. His controversial decision to raid Nassau, Bahamas, instead of following Congress’ orders led to his later dismissal.
What was John Paul Jones’ contribution to the war?
As a naval officer, he captured British ships and supplies, including winter uniforms for 10,000 American soldiers. His ship Bonhomme Richard famously defeated the British Serapis in 1779.
Why did recruiting for the Continental Navy become difficult?
Navy discipline was strict, pay was low, and privateering was more profitable, leading to crew shortages.
What was impressment, and why was it used?
Impressment was the forced enlistment of sailors. The Continental Navy used it due to recruiting struggles.
How many ships served in the Continental Navy, and what happened to most of them?
About 65 ships served. Most were sunk, captured, or burned to prevent capture. Only 11 survived the war.
When was the U.S. Marine Corps established?
The Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, originally to conduct an amphibious raid on Halifax, Nova Scotia.
What was the Battle of Lake Champlain, and why was it important?
In October 1776, American forces under Benedict Arnold delayed the British advance on the Hudson River, giving the colonies time to prepare for further defense.
Who were the Green Mountain Boys, and what was their role?
Led by Ethan Allen, they captured Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775, providing the Patriots with cannons and supplies.
What happened during the American invasion of Canada?
In 1775, General Richard Montgomery captured Montreal but failed to take Quebec. The invasion ultimately failed when British reinforcements arrived in 1776.
Who was Major General Sir Guy Carleton?
He was the British governor of Canada who repelled the American invasion and pursued retreating Patriot forces.
What was the significance of Benedict Arnold’s retreat in 1776?
Arnold’s ragtag fleet on Lake Champlain slowed the British advance, helping protect American forces.
How did the British respond after defeating the Americans in Canada?
They pushed the Americans out of Canada and began planning to control the Hudson River Valley to isolate New England from the other colonies.
Why was the Hudson River Valley strategically important?
Controlling it would have allowed the British to cut off New England from the other colonies, potentially ending the war.
How did American naval actions impact the Revolutionary War?
Despite its small size, the Continental Navy harassed British supply lines, transported diplomats, and captured British merchant ships, forcing the Royal Navy to divert resources.
What was the legacy of the American Revolution for the U.S. Navy?
It proved the value of naval forces, leading to the eventual creation of a permanent U.S. Navy in 1794.
What led to the British evacuation of Boston in March 1776?
The Americans placed cannon from the captured Fort Ticonderoga on Dorchester Heights, overlooking the city, making it untenable for the British. General Howe decided to evacuate by sea to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Why was Washington unable to prevent the British from evacuating Boston?
The Continental naval forces were not large enough to stop the British from evacuating by sea.
Where did Washington take his army after the British left Boston?
Washington took his Continental Army south to New York City to fortify the town and prepare for campaigns in New York and New Jersey.
How many British warships anchored off Staten Island on July 5, 1776?
500 British warships anchored off Staten Island.
What was the approximate size of the British and American forces during the New York campaign?
The British had over 30,000 well-equipped and well-trained troops, while Washington’s army had about 20,000 men, many of whom were untrained militiamen.
What was the outcome of the British campaign in New York?
The British successfully drove the Patriots from Long Island, Manhattan, and White Plains, forcing Washington’s army to retreat multiple times. The British occupied New York City for the rest of the war.
What was the Turtle, and what was its significance in the war?
The Turtle was the first submersible used in warfare, designed by David Bushnell. It attempted to attack General Howe’s flagship in September 1776 but failed. The British later sank it, though Bushnell claimed to have salvaged it.
Why did the British capture Newport, Rhode Island, in December 1776?
After consolidating their victory in New York, the British sent troops to capture Newport, which they did without opposition.
Why did Washington’s army cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania in December 1776?
Washington and his troops were retreating from the British and sought to avoid a major confrontation that could have ended the war.
What famous quote did Thomas Paine write during this difficult period?
“These are the times that try men’s souls.”
What was Washington’s bold counterattack in late December 1776?
On Christmas night, Washington led his troops across the Delaware River in a sleet storm and launched a surprise attack on Hessian troops in Trenton, New Jersey.
What was the result of the battles of Trenton and Princeton?
Washington’s army won both battles, regaining control of most of New Jersey and boosting Patriot morale.
Where did Washington’s army spend the winter of 1776-1777?
Washington and his troops wintered in Morristown, New Jersey.
What was the British three-pronged plan for 1777?
1) General Burgoyne would move south from Canada along Lake Champlain. 2) A force of Loyalists and Native Americans would move eastward from Lake Ontario. 3) General Howe would march north from New York City. They planned to meet in Albany to divide the colonies.
Why did the British three-pronged plan fail?
General Howe decided to capture Philadelphia instead of marching north, leaving Burgoyne’s army isolated in upstate New York.
How did General Howe capture Philadelphia?
He landed 15,000 men south of Philadelphia via the Chesapeake Bay, defeated Washington at Brandywine Creek, and occupied the city in September 1777.
What were the conditions like for Washington’s army at Valley Forge?
Washington’s troops suffered from terrible cold and hunger while the British quartered comfortably in Philadelphia.
What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?
The American victory at Saratoga convinced France to enter the war as an ally, providing critical military and financial support.
Who commanded the American forces at Saratoga?
Major General Horatio Gates and Colonel Daniel Morgan led the American forces. Benedict Arnold also played a key role.
What was Burgoyne’s situation before the Battle of Saratoga?
His supply lines were stretched, his men were running out of food, and he was surrounded by American forces.
What happened during the Battle of Saratoga?
Burgoyne attempted to break through American lines twice (September 19 and October 7) but was defeated by American forces, including sharpshooters under Daniel Morgan. He surrendered on October 17, 1777.
What were the two major outcomes of the Battle of Saratoga?
1) Britain became less willing to continue the war. 2) France entered the war as an American ally, later joined by Spain and the Netherlands.
How did France’s involvement change the war?
France provided military support, naval power, and financial aid, helping to turn the tide in favor of the Americans.
Why was the American Navy largely ineffective?
The Continental Navy had only a few warships and could not challenge British naval dominance along the coast.
What role did American privateers play in the war?
They harassed British trade, delayed troop transports, and captured supplies, though they also diverted resources from the Continental Navy.
Who was John Paul Jones?
He was a famous American naval officer who took the war to British waters and won significant victories.
What was John Paul Jones’ first major naval success?
In 1778, commanding the Ranger, he captured the HMS Drake and several merchant ships near Britain.
What was the Bonhomme Richard?
A 42-gun converted French merchantman given to John Paul Jones, named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
What was John Paul Jones’ most famous naval battle?
The battle between the Bonhomme Richard and the HMS Serapis on September 23, 1779.
What famous quote is attributed to John Paul Jones during the battle with HMS Serapis?
“Sir, I have not yet begun to fight!”
How did John Paul Jones win the battle against the HMS Serapis?
After grappling the two ships together and fighting hand-to-hand, an American grenade detonated powder cartridges below deck on the Serapis, leading to its surrender.
What role did the French play in the American naval war?
The French navy provided crucial support, especially at battles like Yorktown, where they blocked British reinforcements.
Why was French naval power decisive in the American Revolution?
The French fleet helped defeat the British at Yorktown, effectively ending the war.
What strategic changes did Britain make after France became its enemy?
Britain shifted to a defensive strategy in the north, launched an offensive in the south, and aimed to defend its colonies in the West Indies.
Who commanded the French warships sent to America in April 1778?
Vice Admiral Charles Hector, comte d’Estaing commanded the French warships.
Why did Sir Henry Clinton abandon Philadelphia in June 1778?
Clinton abandoned Philadelphia to march his army through New Jersey to reinforce New York City, fearing a possible French attack.
What hindered d’Estaing’s initial efforts to assist the American forces in New York?
D’Estaing’s ships could not enter the shallow harbor of New York, preventing a coordinated land and sea attack.
What happened to the French attack on Newport?
D’Estaing’s attack on Newport was aborted due to a storm and damage from British warships, leading him to sail for Boston and then to the Caribbean.
What event in December 1778 marked the British invasion of the southern colonies?
A British force of 3,500 troops invaded Savannah, Georgia, capturing the city after a brief fight.
What was the outcome of the siege of Savannah in October 1779?
The combined French and American forces failed to recapture Savannah after a three-week siege, and d’Estaing was wounded during the assault.
How did British control in the southern colonies evolve in 1780?
After capturing Charleston, South Carolina, on 12 May 1780, the British gained control over all of South Carolina and began invading North Carolina.
What was the significance of the battles at King’s Mountain and Cowpens?
These battles marked turning points in the southern campaign, leading to American victories that boosted morale and turned the tide against British forces.
What was Cornwallis’s strategic decision after receiving reinforcements from New York?
Cornwallis moved to establish a fortified naval station at Yorktown, where he began to fortify the area.
What role did the French naval forces play in the attack on Cornwallis at Yorktown?
The French fleet, commanded by de Grasse, played a crucial role in preventing British naval support from reaching Cornwallis, contributing to his isolation.
What was the outcome of the siege of Yorktown?
On 19 October 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his entire army to General Washington, marking a decisive American victory.
What was the significance of the British loss at Yorktown?
The loss at Yorktown effectively ended major fighting in the colonies and shifted the conflict’s focus to other regions, such as the West Indies and Europe.
What political changes occurred in Britain after the loss at Yorktown?
Lord North resigned, and a new pacifist cabinet in Parliament decided against launching further offensive attacks in North America, leading to peace negotiations.
What were the main terms of the Treaty of Paris (1783)?
The treaty recognized American independence and granted the colonies territory from the Atlantic west to the Mississippi River, north to the Great Lakes, and south to Florida.
When did Congress officially declare the war over?
Congress declared the war over on 11 April 1783, though the Treaty of Paris was signed later on 3 September 1783.
