A Closer Look

Which of the following was not a point of commonality between the 13 colonies prior to the 1760's?

A desire to form a unified opposition to English tyranny.

We looked at a number of English Kings from the period 1066 - 1776 in light of Samuel's warnings in I Samuel 8. What are some common characteristics that fit with those warnings?

A focus on the King's interests at the expense of the subjects, Violence to obtain or preserve their position as King, and Repeated attempts to raise money from the subject population.

We have read a number of letters between Abigail & John Adams, and have discussed what those reveal about their relationship and about the role of wives/women generally during this time.

Abigail Adams was hopeful that the establishment of a new government would result in laws that would give greater protection to women, John Adams treated his wife with respect and valued her opinions on political matters, and The Adams were concerned about the philosophical conflict between love of liberty and ownership of slaves.

Position and perspective of James McHenry

American staff officer with Lee; he had a good picture of Lee's command of the advance guard.

What is a "siege" in military terms?

An approach that involves isolating a well-defended position and preventing reinforcement or supplies from reaching the defenders.

Who was the American General most responsible for the tactical victory at Saratoga?

Arnold

What factors contributed to the failure of Col. Baum's raid on Bennington?

Baum could not speak English. Brunswick Dragoons were poorly equipped for the terrain. General Stark had raised a Brigade of New Hampshire volunteers to oppose him.

Why should we study history anyway?

Because it is interesting To help us remember God's goodness and faithfulness To avoid repeating past mistakes To help us make better decisions

Which American commander led the expedition through modern Maine to attack Quebec?

Benedict Arnold

Where did most of the early military action (1775 through early 1776) take place?

Boston area

Position and perspective of John André

British staff officer; he was not involved in the fighting, but had a good picture of British intent and movements.

What was the primary British objective in the engagement at Monmouth?

Buy time to allow the baggage train to be drawn off safely toward New York.

Looking at 1778 as a whole, what do we see about the military maneuvering?

Compared to previous years, there was very little action.

What was the key lesson we learned from looking at George Washington's letter to Henry Laurens concerning the invasion of Canada?

Countries operate according to their own interests, so it is wise to distrust France.

What was the terrain like in the upper Hudson River Valley and the region between the Hudson and Lake Champlain?

Dense forests, creeks with deep ravines, steep hills.

In class, we discussed the division of the Carolina Colony into "North" (with its primary settlement at Wilmington) and "South" (with its primary settlement at Charleston). What was the primary reason that the division was necessary?

Difficulty in maintaining communications and transportation links between the two centers

Who was the American commander at the capture of Ticonderoga?

Ethan Allen

What strategic decision did General Clinton make after relieving General Howe as the overall British commander?

Evacuate Philadelphia and return to New York

British efforts to keep the mission secret were effective, and without such efforts it is unlikely that they would have been able to reach Concord and fulfill their mission.

False

General Gage demonstrated a grasp of Colonial capabilities and intentions that allowed him to plan effectively and gave the British a key advantage in the early conflicts.

False

General Gage had conceived of an excellent plan for the engagement, but the shear force of numbers on the part of the colonial militia carried the day.

False

General Gates was in a precarious position on Bemis Heights, because the British under Howe and Clinton had bypassed Albany and were moving on his rear.

False

General Lincoln had the opportunity to evacuate the town secretly, and was urged to do so by the citizenry, but chose instead to remain and fight "to the last extremity"

False

General Lincoln's proposed capitulation terms were reasonable given the military situation at the time they were issued.

False

Most of the Declaration of Independence is taken up with describing and defending representative government as the most natural and effective means of governance.

False

The Americans were able to easily reinforce and resupply the city, since the British had not closed access from the north and northeast along the Cooper River.

False

True or False: By 1780, the British had given up on attracting loyalists to their ranks in large numbers.

False

True or False: By the end of 1779, French military presence had begun to turn the tide of war against the British.

False

True or False: General Charles Lee's reputation recovered from his failures at the Battle of Monmouth, and he went on to play a key role as commander of the American forces in the south.

False

When George Washington's aides refused to accept the letter from Lord Howe addressed to "George Washington, Esq., &c., &c. &c.", this indicated an arrogance on the part of the colonists and showed their rebellious nature.

False

Whenever the Bible speaks of slaves and masters, it condemns the practice of slavery and command Christian masters to free their slaves.

False

True or False: As commodore of the French/American squadron whose raid of British shipping we studied, John Paul Jones was seen as a brave and effective naval leader by the other ship captains.

False--he was brave, but seen as inexperienced and rash.

Match the Presidents

First President of the US: Peyton Randolph First President elected under the US Constitution: George Washington

Who was the American commanding General during the Battle of Saratoga?

Gates

Who was the British commander in charge of the northern campaign intended to move south from Canada and capture Albany?

General Burgoyne

What were some of the consequences of the Battle of Monmouth in June, 1778?

General Charles Lee was subject to a court-martial for incompetence. The Continental Army proved that it could stand up to the British Army in the field under essentially European fighting conditions.General Clinton was able to complete the safe transfer of his supplies and baggage to New York.

1776, September 15.

General Howe lands troops at Kips Bay, threatening the American position in lower Manhattan.

1776, August 29.

General Washington abandons fortifications at Brooklyn Heights and withdraws to Manhattan.

Who was the overall American Commander during this period?

George Washington

Henry of Huntingdon wrote his History of the English in 1135AD. What were some of his themes as discussed in class? Select all that apply.

God's sovereign control over history The value of history in leading us to moral purity

Who was the British commander at the Battle of Quebec?

Guy Carleton

1776, August 26.

Having landed 15,000 troops on Long Island, Howe executes an encirclement, pinning the American right flank.

1776, September 17.

Having withdrawn to the northern end of Manhattan, the Americans defeat the British at the Battle of Harlem Heights.

Which statement below best describes Henry Laurens' view of slavery?

He blamed England for the slave trade, and while he owned slaves himself, he was planning to grant them freedom as soon as practical.

The letters from John Laurens to his father Henry reveal his thoughts about slavery. Which of the following best characterizes his attitude.

He has long deplored the state of the slaves, and believes that with encouragement and training, they would awake to the benefits of freedom and even become an effective fighting force.

In Benjamin Franklin's response to Lord Howe's offer of truce, he made reference to several points. Which of the following were included? Select all that apply.

He took great offense at being offered a "pardon" by the party which itself was guilty and in need of pardon. He stated that it was impossible to consider submitting to a government that had acted with such violence and cruelty toward the colonists. He was willing to consider a treaty among mutually independent nations, but not a truce that maintained the relationship of dependence. He characterized England as a warlike and ambitious nation with a lust for dominion.

What were the primary considerations in George Washington's appointment as Commander of the Continental Army?

His character and the fact that as a Virginian, he could unify the colonies.

1776, late June.

Howe lands 32,000 troops on Staten Island unopposed.

Which of the following type of cannon was originally developed to deliver exploding shells rather than solid "ball" or "shot"?

Howitzer

After Lord Dunmore proclaimed freedom to any slaves who would leave their masters and join the British, there were a number of incidents (as described in our reading). What were the two main arguments against the slaves accepting that offer (per the letter to the Virginia Gazette)?

If the Americans proved victorious, the slaves would be in an even worse situation than before. The British would have no incentive to keep their bargain and were likely to treat the slaves just as poorly as the Americans.

After withdrawing from Boston in March, 1776, what was the British strategy for defeating the colonists?

Isolate "radical" New England from the rest of the colonies by using military force to occupy the Hudson River Valley and Lake Champlain..

What were the two main points about the Battle of Monmouth that we emphasized in class?

It allowed the British to escape to NY with their baggage. It gave the Americans a confidence boost.

Why was Fort Stanwix important?

It guarded the headwaters of the rich Mohawk river valley and the portages to Lake Oneida and Lake Ontario.

Why was Albany important?

It was a major commercial settlement on the Hudson, handling agricultural trade from most of the state. Also, capturing Albany would allow the British to control the Hudson River and isolate New England from the middle and southern states.

Below are several important dates in US History. Which one represents the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

July, 1776

What State/Colony was the Battle on Monmouth fought in?

New Jersey

1776, September 20-22.

New York is burned, probably on purpose by Americans who remained behind in order to deny the British usage of the city.

Which of the following were objections raised by the Colonists to the various revenue acts of Parliament?

Parliament had no right to tax the colonists, who were not represented in that body, and Parliament had no right to abridge due process and trial by jury.

In what state did the Wyoming Valley Massacre take place?

Pennsylvania

What State/Colony did Generals Howe & Cornwallis and the British army under their command spend the winter of 1777/78 in?

Pennsylvania

What State/Colony did George Washington's Continental Army spend the winter of 1777/78 in?

Pennsylvania

Who was the first president of the United States?

Peyton Randolph

Abigail Adams discussed slavery briefly in one of her letters to her husband. What was her concern about Virginia slave-owners in relationship to the colonists desire for independence?

She wondered whether a desire for ones own liberty was inconsistent with denying liberty to others (that is, slaves).

Which of the following factors were significant in determining the location of settlements which eventually grew to become the largest in the colonies?

Sheltered harbour with access suitable for sailing ships, and easy access to farms and settlements farther inland.

In what state did the siege of Charleston take place?

South Carolina

Position and perspective of John Laurens

Staff officer to Washington, but utilized in a scouting role; he combined first-hand perspective of parts of the engagement with an overview based on information available at HQ.

Which of the following were primarily intended to raise revenue rather than merely regulate trade or some other aspect of relationships between the colonies and the mother country?

Stamp Act of 1765 and Stamp Act of 1764.

What shift in British strategy was signaled by the invasion of Georgia and South Carolina in 1779/80?

Subdue the South, raise loyalist support and sweep northwards to confront Washington's army.

Australia was discovered by Europeans and explored beginning in 1606, but it was not until 1770 that Captain Cook made a full survey of the East Coast and claimed the continent for the English Crown. Based on our discussion in class, which of the following sites was likely from an 18th century perspective to grow into a large city and trade center?

Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart.

How doe the Battle of Menotomy relate to the Lexington & Concord raid that we have been studying?

That name applies to one skirmish within the overall battle of Lexington & Concord.

Who won the Battle of Princeton?

The Americans after being rallied by General Washington, though they took heavy casualties

Who won the Battle of Oriskany Creek?

The Americans won a strategic victory by gaining time for General Arnold to relieve Fort Stanwix, but at a great cost in bloodshed.

Who won the Battle of Trenton?

The Americans, capturing many of the Hessian defenders and causing the remainder to flee

Who won the Battle of Quebec?

The British

Who won the Battle of Bunker Hill?

The British Regulars

Which of the following statements about the Battle of Rhode Island and Siege of Newport (July/August, 1778) are true?

The British gained a strategic victory by avoiding defeat at the hands of a joint Franco-American force. Coordination between the French and the Americans proved more difficult than expected, with some of the blame on each side. Weather was a significant factor both in the naval engagement and on land.

What was the result of the Battle of Sullivan's Island?

The British withdrew to New York.

Who won the Battle of Sullivan's Island?

The South Carolina Militia under Colonel Moultrie.

Which of the following are named after an important Founding Father of the United States?

The State of Washington Washington Irving George Washington Carver Washington, DC

What was the major international development in the first quarter of 1778 that impacted the war between the colonies and the British?

The Treaty of Alliance was concluded between France and the United States

What was the key strategic significance of the British attack on Savannah in December, 1778?

The abandonment of the 1776/77 strategic objectives and the beginning of a focus on occupying the south and garnering loyalist support.

We discussed the story of President Arthur St. Clair in class. What event in his background had a direct impact on emigration to the United States?

The great Scottish Ban

What did Moses, Joshua and the Apostle Paul have in common in the passages we looked at in class?

They all emphasized the history of God's interaction with His people

The Bible tells the story of the children of Israel living as slaves in Egypt. Given that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (1 Timothy 3:16), what are some things we can learn from this story? Select all that apply!!

This sets the tone for the use of "Egypt" in many other passages to refer to "the world" and its evils. This illustrates the fact that masters have a greater master (God) who is ultimately in control and who takes care of His people, even though they suffer as slaves. Slaves are at the mercy of their masters, who may treat them cruely. Slavery is (or at least can be) a miserable condition, reducing slaves to the level of mere animals.

In 1777, General Howe launched what major campaign?

To capture Philadelphia

General Burgoyne's 1777 campaign that ended at Saratoga was part of what British strategy?

To isolate New England

Although Fort Washington fell to the British in November, General Washington was able to escape across the Hudson with the bulk of his forces and was then pursued all the way to Pennsylvania by the British.

True

General Sir Henry Clinton's initial "summons" containing his demand for unconditional surrender was rejected because General Benjamin Lincoln intended to defend Charleston "to the last extremity".

True

John Adams hoped and expected that the signing of the Declaration of Independence would be celebrated through many generations.

True

Lord Percy's decisions to retreat from Lexington and to follow the route through Charlestown instead of crossing the river at Cambridge probably saved many British lives.

True

The Bible contains many instances where terms like "slave" and "bond-servant" are used to describe God's people.

True

The British Regulars displayed courage and discipline in both the Battle of Lexington & Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill

True

The British had overwhelming numerical superiority as well as control of the water ways, making the ultimate capture of the city very likely.

True

The British troops fought bravely and well for the most part, and their discipline in retreat helped them avoid a worse defeat.

True

True or False: Lack of pay, currency devaluation and an extremely hard winter in 1779/80 led to morale and discipline problems in the Continental army.

True

True or False: The British capture of Savannah at the end of 1779 signaled a shift in British strategy for the war.

True

Unlike previous communications from the Colonies, the Declaration of Independence was a direct criticism of the King and the King's usurpations.

True

Edmund Morgan touches on the background of the 13 colonies in his chapter 1, The Americans and Empire. Which of the following statements best captures the theme of this chapter?

While the Americans had many differences and quarrels among themselves, for the most part they thought of themselves as "English" and were proud to be part of the British Empire.

On what basis dis the American colonies exist and get their boundaries?

land grants from the King of England

What color was George Washington's white horse?

white