Unit 1: A Country is Born; Lesson 3: Give Me Liberty!

Question 1

Baron von Steuben Definition

Answer 1

Prussian officer who trained and reorganized the Continental Army during the American Revolution

Question 2

Battle of Long Island Definition

Answer 2

a 1776 battle in New York in which more than 1,400 colonists were killed, wounded, or captured

Question 3

Battle of Saratoga Definition

Answer 3

a 1777 battle in New York in which colonial forces won a decisive victory against the British

Question 4

Battle of Trenton Definition

Answer 4

a 1776 battle in New Jersey in which Continental forces surprised and defeated Hessian troops

Question 5

Battle of Yorktown Definition

Answer 5

the 1781 American victory in Virginia that forced the British to surrender

Question 6

Blockade Definition

Answer 6

to use troops or ships to cut off access to an enemy location

Question 7

Charles Cornwallis Definition

Answer 7

general who commanded Britain’s southern forces and surrendered at Yorktown in 1783

Question 8

Continental Army Definition

Answer 8

a regular fighting force organized by the Second Continental Congress and raised from all of the colonies

Question 9

George Washington Definition

Answer 9

general of the Continental Army and first U.S. president

Question 10

Hessians Definition

Answer 10

German soldiers hired by Britain to fight in the American Revolution

Question 11

Inoculate Definition

Answer 11

to inject a weakened form of a disease into a person to protect against the illness

Question 12

John Jay Definition

Answer 12

fifth president of the Continental Congress and U.S. diplomat to Spain and France who helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris

Question 13

Marquis de Lafayette Definition

Answer 13

a French aristocrat who fought with the patriots against the British during the American Revolution

Question 14

Mercenary Definition

Answer 14

a soldier who is paid to fight for another country

Question 15

Nathanael Greene Definition

Answer 15

major general in the Continental Army who became commander in chief of the southern forces and helped trap the British at Yorktown

Question 16

Patrick Henry Definition

Answer 16

the first governor of the independent state of Virginia and a patriot leader during the American Revolution

Question 17

Treaty of Paris Definition

Answer 17

the treaty signed in 1783 ending the war between the United States and Great Britain

Question 18

Valley Forge Definition

Answer 18

the Pennsylvania site of Washington’s Continental Army encampment during the winter of 1777–1778

Question 19

William Howe Definition

Answer 19

general who served as commander in chief of the British forces in North America during the American Revolution

Question 20

Why do you think Patrick Henry says that war has already begun in his speech in St. John’s Church?

Answer 20

The British had already sent troops to the colonies and limited American freedoms in such a way as to make conflict inevitable.

Question 21

What key argument does Patrick Henry make in his speech?

Answer 21

Henry argues that the colonies must resist British power or become enslaved to Britain. He argues that it’s better to die fighting for liberty than to give in to tyranny.

Question 22

How many soldiers did the British have in the American Revolution? What was the British navy like?

Answer 22

Britain had more than 20,000 soldiers in North America, and even more were coming. Britain also had the largest, most powerful navy in the world.

Question 23

Which side had the greatest advantage going into the Revolutionary War, and why?

Answer 23

Britain had the advantage at first because it had superior numbers. It had an organized, professional army as well as a powerful navy.

Question 24

Which had the greatest advantage over the course of the Revolutionary war, and why?

Answer 24

The United States had the greater advantage over the course of the war because their soldiers were fighting on their own lands and had the greater incentive—to protect their homes and families. They also had the support of more people who lived there, and their army grew and became more skilled over time.

Question 25

Remember: State militias lacked standard uniforms. Most wore their own clothing, and many were poorly outfitted. The Continental Army had a more standardized uniform.

Answer 25

State militias lacked standard uniforms. Most wore their own clothing, and many were poorly outfitted. The Continental Army had a more standardized uniform.

Question 26

After the Battle of Long Island, what did Washington worry would happen next?

Answer 26

He believed the British would attack Philadelphia next, and he didn’t believe the Americans had the forces to stop them from taking the city.

Question 27

What challenges did Washington believe hurt the Continental Army?

Answer 27

He believed the Continental Army was too small because of the short enlistment policy. He also believed the states relied too heavily on militias.

Question 28

At their camp in Pennsylvania, what book did Washington order to have read to his troops?

Answer 28

At their camp in Pennsylvania, two days before they marched, Washington ordered his officers to read Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis to the troops.

Question 29

How did the militia defeat the British at Saratoga?

Answer 29

They encircled their forces.

Question 30

Why was the Battle of Saratoga such a great loss for Britain?

Answer 30

The British surrendered a huge force of 5,000 troops.

Question 31

How did the Battle of Saratoga influence the French?

Answer 31

The Americans’ victory convinced the French that they were worth supporting.

Question 32

Given the loss at the Battle of Saratoga, what can you predict about Britain’s plan to isolate New England?

Answer 32

With Howe’s army in Philadelphia and Burgoyne’s army lost to the Americans, Britain could not carry out its plan to divide the states.

Question 33

How did Spain help America in the Revolutionary War?

Answer 33

Spanish reinforcements aided American forces in the west and along the Gulf Coast. They won key victories in Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida that prevented Britain from gaining a foothold to attack from the west. They also kept British naval forces busy in the Caribbean.