History HW ?'s

Explain why African Americans were willing to enlist in the Continental Army?

African Americans were willing to enlist in the Continental Army because of two reasons, some needed the money and others fought because of their belief in the Patriot cause and to earn their freedom.

Based on the quote from the Declaration o Independence on this page, what are the "unalienable Rights" to which Jefferson referred? Give examples.

Based on the quote from the Declaration of Independence the "unalienable Rights" are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. When he says Life and Liberty it means that you should be able to live your life freely and and the way you want. When he says the Pursuit of happiness it means that you should be able to live your life happily.

What might have happened if the French fleet had not yet arrived at Yorktown?

Cornwallis may have been able to escape the battle by sea.

What was Benjamin Franklin's role in the movement towards Independence?

During the Stamp Act Crisis he represented all of the colonies that were in London. He also helped get rid of the Stamp Act.

What was Thomas Paine's role in the movement towards independence?

He created a pamphlet called common sense that got the American colonist's attention. In it he called for total independence from Britain. He thought that it was just "common sense" to stop following the "royal brute", King George III.

What was Thomas Jefferson's role in the movement towards independence?

He helped write the Declaration of Independence. He also was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.

What Was Samuel Adams's role in the movement towards Independence?

He was part of the Second Continental Congress which governed the colonies. He was also one of the greatest political leaders in America. He also formed the sons of Liberty.

The Americans claimed to fight for liberty and freedom. How did these ideals make women and enslaved Africans question their positions in society?

I think the ideals that the Americans claimed to fight for liberty and freedom made women and enslaved Africans question their positions in society because the Americans were fighting for freedom and liberty which the women and enslaved Africans weren't getting from the Americans.

What influence did the American Revolution have around the world?

It influenced other countries like France to have a revolution fighting for freedom too. Also many enslaved Africans fought for their freedom in the French-held colony Saint Domingue.

Why was guerrilla warfare effective against the British?

It was effective because it caught the British off-guard because they were used to the very formal way of fighting.

What was King George III's response to to the Olive Branch Petition?

King George III refused to receive the petition, instead of reading it he was getting his troops ready to go to America.

What reasons might the loyalists have had to support great Britain?

Loyalists might have had to support Great Britain because some loyalists "were officeholders who would lose their position as the result of the revolution." Other loyalists who lived in isolation may have chosen to be loyal to Britain because they had not been a part of everything that was going on between the Americans and the British that made so many Americans go against Britain. Also many believed that Britain would win the war and wanted to increase favor with Britain.

Explain why most Native Americans sided with the British in the conflict?

Many Native Americans sided with the British because they looked like less of a threat because the Americans were taking the Native American's land.

describe what happened when the Continental Congress tried to finance the war by printing money?

Printing money lead to inflation which meant that it would take more money to buy the same quantity of goods. The bills also quickly lost their value because "the amount of bills in circulation grew faster than the supply of gold and silver backing then.

Describe the terms that the Americans agreed to in the treaty of Paris?

The Americans agreed to let British merchants collect debts owed by Americans. The Americans also agreed that "the Congress would advise the states that property taken from loyalists was to be returned to them."

Describe the Battle of Trenton/Princeton.

The Battle of Trenton and Princeton happened in New York in the winter where the British were unprepared to fight. So Washington brought his troops across the river and surprised the British. The Americans captured 900 Hessians and had a successful battle against the British.

Compare the strengths of the British and American military forces.

The British and the Americans both had very different strengths in their military forces. The British strengths were the size and experience of their army, the strength of their navy, the wealth of their worldwide empire, and their larger population. The Americans strengths were that they were fighting on their own ground and had a lot of determination. They also had George Washington as their leader who was known for his courage, determination, and honesty.

Why did the continental congress pass a resolution to form militias?

The Continental Congress passed a resolution to for militias because many wondered if war was coming so they needed soldiers.

Explain why the French did not publicly support the Americans until after Saratoga?

The French did not publicly support the Americans until after the battle of Saratoga because they wanted to make sure that the Americans were going to win the war.

What were the differences and similarities of the Patriot and Loyalist beliefs?

The Patriots wanted to fight the British until the end and wanted independence for the Americans. The Loyalists chose to stay with Britain and to defend them. They also did not think that unfair taxes and regulations were a good reason to rebel. Both the Patriots and the Loyalists had to face the very difficult decision on whether to be a Loyalist or a Patriot. They both also did not like taxes.

Why was the Second Continental Congress more like a government than the First Continental Congress?

The Second Continental Congress was more like a government then the First Continental Congress because they set up a post office with Franklin in charge, and authorized the printing of money.

What Decisions were made by the First Continental Congress?

The decisions that the First Continental Congress made were to declare that the laws in the thirteen acts of Parliament violated the colonists' rights, to boycott all British trade and goods, meaning that no British products could be spent in the colonies, and no colonial goods could be brought into Britain. Also one of the Continental Congress's biggest decisions was to approve the Suffolk Resolves, meaning that they called on the people of the Suffolk County to arm themselves against the British.

How were the Loyalists treated by the Patriots during the war?

The loyalists were treated harshly by the Patriots. Many were shunned by their neighbors, victims of violence in mobs, arrested and tried as traitors. In rare cases some would even be executed.

How did the French navy help Washington at Yorktown?

They brought the Americans over 5,000 soldiers also, French General De Grasse's fleet made sure that Cornwallis may have been able to escape the battle by sea.

How did the british navy use the location of the colonies to their advantage?

They did by patrolling American waterways which kept Patriots and their allies' ships from entering or leaving American harbors.

How did France help the Americans in their fight for independence?

They helped by sending soldiers and ships and lending money to the Americans. The event that lead the French to aid the Americans in the first place was the victory at Saratoga.

Describe the Battle of Long Island.

the Battle of Long Island happened when the two sides clashed. The Continental Army was outnumbered and outmaneuvered, causing them to suffer a bad lose.

What problems did the Continental Congress face in raising an army to fight during the American Revolution?

the Continental Congress faced the problems that many people were only signing up for the army for one year instead of more, and each state was doing what it wanted to do during the war. They also had trouble getting money and gathering support for the war. Also because the Americans had just gotten rid of the British Parliament they were not willing to give much power to the Continental Congress.