Chapter VIII: America Secedes from the Empire

REVISED

  1. Why did Congress choose George Washington as the commander of the Continental Army?
  2. Next to Washington, why was Benedict Arnold so necessary to American military success in the Revolution? Why did he become a traitor? And who was Major Andre anyway?
  3. Since the fighting started in 1775 at Lexington, and one of the bloodiest battles, Bunker Hill, followed shortly thereafter, why did we take over a year to declare independence?
  4. Why did many people find John Adams obnoxious and dislikable? Who were his allies in the 2nd Continental Congress? How did he eventually get his way?
  5. What effect did Thomas Paine, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson have on the drive to independence?
  6. Who were the "Tories"? Who were the "Rebels"? What about "Patriots" and "Loyalists"? How many of each were there during the Revolution?
  7. Explain Washington's military campaigns of 1776-1778. Which battle revealed him at his best? Which at his worst? What was his greatest contribution to the war effort?
  8. What did Benedict Arnold (yep, it's him again) have to do with the Saratoga campaign? Why was the result of the battle at Freeman's Farm so important for the Revolution? How did Ben Franklin fit into the scheme of things? And how come the only monument to Arnold is found at
    Freeman's Farm, and it's in the shape of empty boots?
  9. What was Bailey talking about when he mentioned, "Daddy and I killed the bear" (pg. 157)? Do you agree?
  10. How did British military strategy change after the battle of Monmouth? To what ends?
  11. Why did Charles Cornwallis feel safe on the peninsula at Yorktown? What was wrong with his theory?
  12. How did the British defeat at Yorktown lead to the Peace of Paris, 1783? Why was the Peace of Paris so good for the United States?
  13. What was the British position regarding American slaves during the Revolution? What was the American position?
  14. How did the Native American tribes view the Revolution? How did they fare as a result of its outcome?
  15. Identify:
    • John Jay
    • William Howe
    • John Burgoyne
    • Barry St. Leger
    • Hessians
    • Evacuation Day
    • Ft. Ticonderoga
    • Ethan Allen
    • Nathaniel Greene
    • Baron von Steuben
    • Marquis de Lafayette
    • Comte de Rochambeau
    • George Rogers Clark
    • John Paul Jones
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