Revolutionary War Tally Sheet
The Revolutionary War – An Overview
PHASE #1 [1776 – late 1777] Containment in New England – the British initially believed that the revolution was basically a radical minority movement centered in New England so they concentrated their forces there. But then came The Battle of Bunker Hill
1775 |
April 19 – Lexington and Concord Major John Pitcairn sent to seize military supplies at Concord; Paul Revere, William Dawes and Dr. Sam Prescott went to warn the minutemen; Minutemen and British soldiers collide at Lexington and Concord
May 10 – Ethan Allen and the Green Mtn. Boys take Ft. Ticonderoga
May 12 – Ethan Allen and the boys take Crown Pt.
June 15 – 2nd Continental Congress appts. George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army June 17 – Bunker Hill Breed’s Hill Colonials survived two attacks but ran out of ammunition and were defeated; 1000 British dead only 350 colonial dead Significance: Colonials hung in against the best Britain had to offer – we could win this war
Aug – Dec – Expedition against Quebec Gen. Richard Montgomery invaded Canada and forced the British to leave Montreal; Benedict Arnold joined Montgomery and together they went after Quebec
Major Failure Montgomery killed - Arnold wounded - 1/3 of troops captured or killed
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England’s Strengths |
Colonist's Strengths |
Population (7.5 million to 2.5 million colonists)
Monetary wealth
Naval forces
Professional army 50,000 British 30,000 Hessians 30, 000 American Loyalists
Lord Dumores Proclamation
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Outstanding leadership - Military--Washington Diplomatic--Franklin ; European Imports--Lafayette, Kosciuzko
Colonists fighting defensively and Self-sustaining agricultural base Colonists were better marksmen (Americans accurate at 200 yds.) Moral advantage. Americans were supporting a just cause with a positive goal
Video Clip from the Patriot
Colonial Military Advantages
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1506460
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England’s Weaknesses |
Colonial Weaknesses |
Lack of British desire to crush American cousins. Whigs cheered American victories.
Military difficulties - Second-rate generalsBrutal treatment of soldiers (one lashed 800 times for striking an officer)
Inadequate, poor provisions (old, rancid, wormy) - Need for clear victory. A draw would be a colonial victory.
Armies were 3000 miles from home. Orders took months to reach the front.
Vast colonial territory (1000 by 600 miles) to subdue. No urban nerve center to conquer.
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Colonies were badly organized, disunited for war. - Continental Congress debated, but took little action and exercised less leadership
Written constitution (Articles of Confederation) not adopted until 1781. Colonies were jealous of Congress, each other's region
Economic difficulties - Little metallic currency available (Fearful of taxation, Congress issued virtually worthless Continental currency)
Inflation led to increased prices, desertions from army. Limited military supplies - Inadequate firearms and powder American soldiers were numerous but unreliable |
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