Your next installment of flash cards is due Wednesday (there are 7). I have graded your third installment, so if you want to pick them up Tuesday for reference, stop on by. They looked great- just make sure you don't feel pressured to list 3+ events- we are looking for only the MOST important. Could be just one or two things! Presidential inaugurations and state admissions are not necessary.
In addition, I would like for you to post a comment to the blog answering the question: "How did the colonies win the war?" It will be graded out of 15 points- use your skimming of pp. 168-185 to help you!
Notes from today:
The colonies won the war because they had a common cause (independence), created alliances with the French, Spanish, and Indians, and fought their own style of battle on their own homeland. The British, on the other hand, traveled across the sea, alienated the Loyalists, and fought their traditional style of war leaving themselves predictable and lacking the same motivation that drove on the colonists who pursued their independence. Even though George Washington’s Continental Army suffered chronic shortages of men and supplies, colonists pledged their allegiance to the “regulars” when war reached their homes, farms, and businesses. They turned out with rifles, clothing, food, and ammunition. The British troops were fighting a battle that didn’t concern them. Time and money was an issue for Britain. After the French and Spanish joined in, Britain was losing more and more battles, while racking up more and more deb, in addition to the debt they already owed from the French and Indian War. England backed out of the fight when it realized that the colonies weren’t worth this amount of trouble.
ReplyDeleteIn the early stages of the war the Americans struggled with supplies, men, and moral, but there was an important turning point that brought them closer to overall victory. This major turning point was the Battle of Saratoga. France was on the fence on joining the American cause, why join a band of farmers who had taken on the British army fully aware they’d lose? France needed to see the American’s have a major victory, which is exactly what The Battle of Saratoga brought them. With France on their side, the Revolutionaries now had the upper hand.
ReplyDeleteAnother advantage the American’s had in the war was having home field advantage. This not only gave the troops a better understanding of the terrain for strategic purposes, but also allowed them to have access to supplies easily. When the English needed supplies or soldiers (in situations of high casualties, such as the Battle of Bunker Hill), they had to wait for months on end while the ships had to come over from England. This was also rocketing the English war debt through the roof.
Though the English clearly had the upper hand coming into this war with the greatest army and navy in the world, they really had no upper hand at all. Americans had a home field advantage. Supplies and Men were at an easy disposal (though Men were mostly harder to convince.). They also knew the land better which placed them strategically higher than the English soldiers, who, for the most part, were in the colonies for the first time. Also, America had England’s strongest enemies on her side. Spain and France. With all this, plus the wait time England needed for supplies, the Americans soon gained the upper hand and later overall victory in the war.
The colonies’ victory can be attributed to the British unable to receive quick relief given the battlefield’s location in addition to George Washington’s command that resulted in foreign alliances with France and Spain, and increasing support from Native Americans; strength came in numbers, which brought about America’s victory in the later battles of the American Revolution.
ReplyDeleteThe beginnings of the war was a rough start for America. British troops numbered at 50,000 along with support from the British navy, the largest in the world, while American troops numbered at 16,600 rebels. To put it simply, the reluctance to join the Continental Army given its low pay and constant threat of danger placed America at a disadvantage, and the army thus suffered constant shortages of men and supplies.
One component during the war that fueled colonial victory was the British alienating “the very civilians whose loyalties they had hoped to maintain” (Davidson, 172). Constant friction between civilians of New York City and the New Jersey countryside was rampant given the shortages of supplies and housing; some British resorted to stealing local farmers’ supplies arousing resentment. Military forces on Long Island and New Jersey, hence, rallied support for the Continentals, strengthening the colonies.
Numbers in the Continental Army climbed steadily when slaves joined the revolutionary army in hopes of gaining freedom. Although some served the British, 5,000 African American slaves served the Americans.
America’s impending victory in the Revolution was further ingrained after the Battle of Saratoga in which British General Burgoyne and his troops found themselves surrounded by American General Haratio Gates and his troops. This triumph allowed for Burgoyne to lose his entire army as well as convince France, Britain’s old rival, to help Americans win the war. To add to that, Spain later joined the alliance with intentions to recover territory lost to England in previous wars.
In order to win the war the British would have had to subdue the colonial rebellion and restore their authority in North America at the same time. For this to happen, they would have had to beat the American army and win the loyalty or at least compliance of a lot of the colonists. When you look at it this way, Great Britain was set up to lose the war. The colonial army also had home field advantage. This gave the Americans better access to provisions and a better knowledge of the geography and terrain. Great Britain had to face to problem of getting supplies and troops across the Atlantic Ocean. Great colonial leaders generated feelings of American pride and spirit. People like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams rallied for unity within the thirteen colonies, which lead to victory. As long as American steadfastly, determinedly resisted British control it would be close to impossible for Great Britain to hold on to the colonies. Great Britain was still recovering economically from the Seven Years’ War. All of these factors contributed to Great Britain’s defeat in the Revolutionary War.
ReplyDeleteThe colonies won the Revolutionary war largely due to the fact that Britain had many enemies. Spain, France, and the Dutch all backed the colonies, because they knew that their competitor would be weakened a lot by losing their colonies and the economic benefits of these colonies. But the strong support of allies wasn't the only reason the colonies won. Although the British army was larger than the Continental Army, the Continental Army also had the support of the local militias in the colonies. And although the British army was the best and most organized army in the world at the time, this actually worked against them. Because they were so trained in traditional warfare, in which they would all line up with several rows and take turns firing, the colonists ripped them apart with guerrilla warfare, in which they took shots from behind cover, and then move, and then take a shot from somewhere else. This style of warfare, which many claim to have come from the native Americans, is now the normal style of warfare in wars all over the globe. It also helped that the war was being fought on American soil. The Americans new the land, and the British were unused to it.
ReplyDeleteThe Colonists were also fighting for something they cared about. They fought for freedom and their way of life, while the British were fighting to keep fellow Britons under their control. Because the war was essentially British vs. British, it was an unpopular war in England. Because they were fighting former Brits, the King eventually succumbed to the pressure to sign a peace treaty. If it was against France, it would have likely lasted a much longer time. With the help of their allies, the influence of the Native Americans, and the unpopularity of the war, the colonists eventually won the war.
The Colonies were able to win the war due to a few important factors, which were home advantage, support from foreign powers, and the craving for independence. In the beginning of the war, the Colonies were outnumbered greatly. Their army consisted of 16,600 rebels, most of whom were farmers using hunting rifles. The British on the other hand had 50,000 trained soldiers with top of the line weaponry. The Colonies were outnumbered and outgunned, and they suffered greatly in the beginning. But, with the victory at Saratoga, there was a change in the war. The Colonists gained support from Spain and France, two enemies of Britain. These two countries aided in the support of supplies and helped the Colonies to create a stable military. Furthermore, the war was fought on the home soil of the colonists. The Colonies knew the land much better than their adversaries. The fact that the British were fighting a war all the way across an ocean from their home made it quite difficult to succeed. Some of the British soldiers had never even been to America before the war. In addition, when the British needed supplies such as weapons and food, they had to wait long periods of time to receive their necessities which had to travel across the ocean by ship. The Colonies on the other hand were supplied by the French and Spanish, and in addition they received support from their home towns which were nearby. Lastly, the Colonists had a true reason to fight: they craved independence. These desire to be free from British rule provided colonists with enough reason to pick up a weapon and join the cause. They fought against all odds and held a passion much greater than any British soldier. Many British soldiers were just fighting for pay. This difference in reason to fight was quite significant. Through these advantages, the colonies were able to successfully rid North America of British rule.
ReplyDeleteEven though the Americans struggled through the beginning period, they were still able to be victorious. This victory came through some luck and the brilliant strategic planning of the leading commander at the time George Washington.
ReplyDeleteFrom before the war George Washington knew that to be able to defeat the mighty British army he was not going to be able to fight them in a conventional manor. Going up against the better trained and equipped British army in the classic Napoleonic style would have been disastrous for the Americans. Instead, George Washington played to the Americans strengths and devised a way for the Americans to fight a war that had them fighting from very well fortified areas and forts and attacking the British in surprise and guerrilla fashion.
Another reason why the Americans were able to win the American Revolution was because of the British soldiers themselves. In a way, they overused their stay. Wherever the redcoats went, they usually stole and took food and valuables form the native population. As a result, Americans were reluctant to support the ignorant British who in some cases ruined their livliehoods and instead support the Americans.
A major boost for the Americans came when the French formally became their allies. Even though the French had been secretly supplying the Americans with arms and ammunition since 1776, the French were still reluctant to become formal allies with the Americans. Ever since their defeat in the Seven Years War, France was bitter and wanted revenge on Britain and the Americans proved to be such an opportunity. It took until 1778 that the Americans and French signed a formal treaty but once they did the French became a major factor in helping the Americans win the war in North America. These are some of the reasons why the Americans won the American Revolution
In the beginging of the war, the British had a clear lead. The americans were struggling. They were against the worlds most talented army. but without the help of the French and other allies, George Washington's impressive stratergy and home advantages, I believe the Americans would have not been able to win this war.
ReplyDeleteThe first factor that helped America win the war was that they had France as an alley against the British. France had been waiting to avenge the britsh after they were humiliated in the Seven Years War. Without the French's covert assistance, the Continental army would have been unable to defeat the British Redcoats.
Eventuallly the Americans turned the tables against the british and were enroute to becoming victorious.
Secondly, George Washington played out new stratergies that would enhance, unify and strengthen the army. He tried out the "defensive stratergy" to substitute for the number and might of the Redcoats. aslo the british were stratergizing in an incorrect fashion. they wanted to restore political and imerial authority by capturing cities. this made the loyalists furious and they too turned their back on the british and unified with the continental army.
lastly, the british were not only fighting a war in the america's but also other places in the world. the distance between the two countries made it difficult for the military to sustain. they also did not know that lay of the land as well as the continental army did.
Destined for victory with their sprit of resilience the colonies found clever ways to beat the British. George Washington used discipline and defensive tactics such barricading to gain advantages against large British troops. They were able to take the British by surprise with informal strategies. This threw the British Army off balance since they primarily trained to fight in traditional lines. Colonist also benefited by combating in their home grounds. They understood the territories they were fighting in. Colonial support was not just on the battlefield. Women helped supply troops by sewing clothes, blankets, and bandages. Women ran farms and business. The Daughters of Liberty also joined rebel causes by harassing loyalists. With colonial unity the colonist were at an advantage; they also had a greater desire to win. In the beginning of the war the colonist were loosing. Throughout battles they faced famine and fear but they pined for victory and fought through the hardships. They were sacrificing everything for independence and used the pain of British oppression to win.
ReplyDeleteWith dried up funds, the British raised food prices in New York and Philadelphia. Raged, the Continental Army was ready to fight in Saratoga, New York. The Battle of Saratoga foreshadowed colonial victory. They not only gained Burgoyne army’s surrender but French approval. This prompted the turning point as the French signed a treaty of commerce and friendship along with an alliance to colonial Congress. Spain later allied with France. By 1778 Britain was fighting in a global war. Undermined by the Continental Army and its allies, Britain was being forced to fight among several grounds. British enemies became American allies. The British had been outsmarted. By 1780 the colonist were tasting their victory in the American Revolution.
The Colonists seemed to begin the fight against the British as the underdogs, but a few key factors aided the rebels in their victory of the Revolutionary War. The Colonies had valuable alliances, a home field advantage, and strong desire to gain independence. The The French, Spanish, and Dutch allied with the Colonies because of their bad history with Britain. Without these connections, the Colonies would never had enough supplies or support to be successful. Another advantage was that the rebels were fighting on their own turf. This was helpful not only because they knew the land and the best strategies to help them, but they were also close to supplies and reinforcements. It also meant that their opponent was very far away from any such help. The most important advantage that the Colonists had was their desire for independence. All of the people fighting on the American side had a reason to fight and win this war--their freedom and livelihood was on the line. The British soldiers did not have this spirit to help them succeed.
ReplyDeleteWhen considering how the colonies won the Revolution it's important to first acknowledge what the British needed to accomplish in order to maintain dominance in Northern America. Britain needed to break the national spirit of the united colonies, make sure their army was large enough to control North America, and have a quick and readily access to supplies. The colonies were therefore successful because of their ability to remain united through out the war and by having a "home field" advantage. Due to clever military tactics of not only George Washington but other important military leaders and politicians, the colonies were able to defeat the British. In the battle of Cowpens Major General Nathaniel Greene and Brigadier General Daniel Morgan tactics lead the patriots to their reconquest of South Carolina from the redcoats. Greene decided to divide the patriot forces to force the British troops to divide and fight them on multiple fronts. Tarleton and his british troops followed the patriot forces and were ambushed. Due to military tactics and strategies devised by political and military leaders, a united nation, and a "home field" advantage the colonies were able to win the war.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the beginning years of the Revolutionary War held little promise for the colonial forces, the advantages of alliances and territorial knowledge helped lead the Patriots to an ultimate victory. The colonial forces were heavily outnumbered by those of the British, however alliances between the Dutch, French and Spanish solved this problem. These allies as well as some local militias equalized the force distribution among the two sides (Britain and the colonies), helping the colonials go up against the most fearsome army in the world. In addition to these alliances, the colonists' local geographic knowledge was also advantageous during the Revolutionary War. The colonists were able to plan attacks, travel, and escape attacks with ease in comparison to the British forces. This was because they knew the land.
ReplyDeleteThe British army was considered to be the best in the world. Each soldier was a professional, and their military size was staggering. However, the professional soldiers of the British army lacked training in guerrilla warfare, a vastly different style of fighting than the traditional method the British were accustomed too. The colonists were prepared for this shift in technique, giving them yet another advantage over Great Britain.
Perhaps the greatest advantage for the colonists was a uniform desire for liberty and freedom. Each and every soldier was fighting for what they believed in. They all had a true desire to win. This desire pushed them through a gruesome war, bringing them out victorious in the end.