The Loss of the American Colonies - Topic 3.2

Question 1

Why was Lexington and Concord an important “battle”?

18th April 1775

Answer 1

General Gage attempted to send troops to Concord to take ammunitions, supplies and destroy the military store. They were met by minutement volunteers at Lexington where the patriots retreated to Concord. The British were pushed back from Concord to Boston by ill-equipped and poorly trained volunteers for 20 miles. Boston was then under seige. British casualties: 273. This first “battle” shows

Question 2

Why was the Battle of Bunker hill landmark in the war?

17th June 1775

Answer 2

The British attempted a full frontal assault against the patriots at Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. The attack was successful only because the patriots run out of ammunition. The attrition was awful and 1,000 British casualties were caused while the Americans had 400.

Question 3

How does the Siege of Boston show the American advantages?

April 19, 1775 – March 17, 1776

Answer 3

After Bunker Hill, the British were now, in earnest, under seige by the new colonial army under Washington. The siege of Boston demonstrates the advantages the Americans had:

• Their knowledge of the local terrain was an advantage. They were able to fortify Dorchester Heights, an elevated position just outside of Boston, which gave them a tactical advantage over the British
• George Washington arrived in the Boston area to take charge of the newly established Continental army. His leadership and strategic planning were instrumental in the success of the siege
• The colonists were fighting for their freedom and their way of life. This motivation gave them the strength to persevere through difficult times and ultimately win the siege

Question 4

What does the Declaration of Independence show about the Revolution?

10th May 1775 - 4th July 1776

Answer 4

• Shows the intellectual and personal journey that the delegates were taking on the path to nationhood
• Communication was baseline at all steps to ensure that everyone could agree and compromise and amendments could be made. There was a strong effort to reach consensus
• This declaration shows the views of the democratic majority that made America but also the ones living in the nation

Question 5

What were the most important articles of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 5

• All powers not specifically granted to Congress were reserved by the states. Congress had no right to enforce taxes or regulate trade
• All state had to agree to any amendment of the constitution
• Congress can declare war, borrow and issue paper money, draw up treaties and alliances with foreign powers.
• Congress can deal with Native American affairs, requisition of state affairs for money and men for fighting, set standards of weights of goods and measures, and regulate post offices.
• Each state had one congressman with one vote regardless of size. These congressman were elected annually and could not be elected more than three times every six years

Question 6

What does the time of ratification tell us about the colonies?

November 1777 - March 1781

Answer 6

The period of times shows that the colonies, delegates and the public to an extent were fearful of a supremely powerful chief executive (e.g., the king) and feared abdicating their power to a central authority. This period of time shows federalism was entrenched right from the beginning.