American historyLesson 1 of 3 in the course America's War for Independence, 1775-1783

Revolutionary War Campaigns and the Continental Army, 1776–1778

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson examines how Britain tried to defeat the Revolution by capturing key cities and dividing the colonies. It focuses on the campaigns around New York and the British effort to isolate New England.

After evacuating Boston in March 1776, British forces sailed to Nova Scotia to regroup. They then turned their attention to New York City, a major port and a strategic gateway to the Hudson River. British leaders believed that control of the river would help them move troops and supplies inland.

All flashcards

Why did Britain plan to send three armies toward Albany in 1777?
To secure the Hudson River corridor and isolate New England from the other colonies.
Why did the 1776 peace conference between the Howes and American representatives fail?
The American representatives demanded recognition of independence, which the Howes were not authorized to grant.
What did Thomas Paine hope to achieve with the first pamphlet in The American Crisis series?
He urged Patriots to persevere and warned of the consequences of defeat.
How did Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben help improve the Continental Army?
He trained a small group of soldiers, who then trained others in systematic drills.
Why was the American victory at Saratoga diplomatically significant?
It helped persuade France to recognize American independence and form an alliance with the United States.

Quiz questions

  1. Whom did Washington’s troops surprise at Trenton on December 26, 1776?Answer: Hessian soldiers encamped in the town
  2. When did Washington win the Battle of Princeton?Answer: January 3, 1777
  3. What happened to the Continental Congress after British forces occupied Philadelphia in 1777?Answer: It was forced to flee the city.
  4. How did von Steuben spread his military training through the Continental Army?Answer: He drilled a small group, which then trained other soldiers.
  5. What did France do after the American victory at Saratoga helped change its view of the war?Answer: It recognized American independence and formed a military alliance.

Based on U.S. History by P. Scott Corbett, Volker Janssen, John M. Lund, Todd Pfannestiel, Sylvie Waskiewicz, Paul Vickery (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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