Preparing for the American Revolution

TCI 7.1-5

7.1 Introduction1. Why do you think that colonial militias/armies like the one in New York weren’t very well trained?Answers will vary

2. Why do you think that the British army was so well trained?Answers will vary

7.2-3 Strengths and Weaknesses 

American Colonists – 7.2 British Government – 7.3Advantages(strengths)

Patriotism (psychological) & knew territory

  secret aid from the French   experienced military leader who

inspired courage and confidence

5mericans   well trained and experienced   well supplied with food, uniforms,

ammunition, and weapons

Disadvantages(weaknesses)

Continental Army very small and always short of soldiers

  Few Americans were trained for

battle   shortages of guns, gunpowder,

food, and uniforms

Sending troops and supplies from Britain to America was slow and costly

   not passionate about defeating

the rebels, and they had poor military leadership (psychological)

   didn’t know territory as well as

colonists1. In spite of the British advantages, why do you think that the colonists were able to defeat the British in the war?Answers will vary….but guerilla warfare helped!

Patriotism (psychological) & knew territory

  secret aid from the French   experienced military leader who

inspired courage and confidence

50,000 soldiers, reinforced by 30,000 Hessian mercenaries, as well as Loyalists, Native Americans, and African Americans

   well trained and experienced   well supplied with food,

uniforms, ammunition, and weapons Continental Army very small and

always short of soldiers

Few Americans were trained for battle

shortages of guns, gunpowder, food, and uniforms

Sending troops and supplies from Britain to America was slow and costly

   not passionate about defeating the

rebels, and they had poor military leadership (psychological)

   didn’t know territory as well as

colonists

7.4 Britain Almost Wins the War

1. Why did the Declaration of Independence increase Americans’ motivation to fight and win the war?believed that freedom and the chance to create their own country were goals worth fighting for

2. What hopes did the Declaration of Independence raise for African Americans?if the words “all men are created equal” applied to them

3. What questions did the Declaration raise for African Americans?whether independence would bring an end to slavery

4. What factors allowed the British to almost win the war in 1776?greater numberssuperior trainingoverwhelmed the inexperienced Americansat New York and in other battles in 1776

7.5 A Pep Talk and Surprise Victories

1. In your own words, what was the message of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet The Crisis?Answers will vary, but should include…the idea that he wanted to remind Americans that real patriots hold onto their beliefs, even in hard times “These are the times that try men’s souls”

2. How were the Americans able to win such an overwhelming victory at Trenton?Washington had his troops cross the Delaware River on Christmas night,taking the enemy by surprise early the next morning

3. How did victories at Trenton and Princeton affect American morale?showed that the Americans could beat the British and their allies,greatly boosted American morale

KEY TERMS:Find a picture of a Hessian mercenary from the Revolutionary War.

Attach the picture to the back of this sheet. Be sure to write or type out the URL of the image.