Strategy & Forces
What major British general assembled about 32,000 troops in New York soon after the Declaration of Independence?
Who is General Howe?
After losing NYC in 1776, to which nearby New York location did Washington move most of his troops?
What is White Plains, NY?
Which country signed treaties with the United States on February 6, 1778, formally recognizing the U.S. and promising military support?
Who is France?
Which city did 3,500 British troops capture in December 1778?
What is Savannah, Georgia?
What was the name given to the paper money issue by the Continental Congress that became nearly worthless?
What is Continentals?
Name two key weaknesses of the Continental Army (described in the notes)?
What is inexperienced and ill-equipped? What is unstable troop numbers?
On what date did Washington famously cross the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack?
What is December 25, 1776?
Name one reason given in the notes for why Spain hesitated to openly ally with the United States at first?
What major American defeat occurred on May 12, 1780, when roughly 14,000 British troops surrounded a southern city?
What is the fall of Charles Town, South Carolina?
Why did many Continental soldiers desert or refuse to re-enlist? Give two reasons.
What is fears of British brutality and likely defeat (PTSD/trauma), and leaving to tend crops/harvest.
Who was the wealthy merchant from Pennsylvania who helped finance the American war effort and arranged foreign loans?
Who is Robert Morris?
Which surrender on October 17, 1777 became a turning point by convincing France to openly support the United States?
What is the surrender (Battle) of Saratoga?
Besides supplying troops, what strategic effect did French and Spanish attacks have on Britain's military commitments?
What is forcing Britain to divide its ships and troops globally, reducing the number available to fight in North America.
Who is General Charles Cornwallis?
What was the role of privateers during the war, and why did Congress issue Letters of Marque?
What is Privateers were licensed to seize British merchant ships; Letters of Marque allowed private ships to legally attack enemy commerce.
Explain one reason why British public and political opinion made a quick British victory important?
What is many members of Parliament and merchants opposed a long war, Britain need a quick victory to maintain political and economic support at home? What is facing threats from the French, Spanish and Dutch?
What large-scale British military failure (name the campaign or event) led to the capture of more than 5,000 soldiers by the Americans?
What is Burgoyne's campaign culminating in the Battle of Saratoga?
Explain the two main promises or outcomes included in the Feb. 6, 1778 agreements between the U.S. and France.
What is recognizing the U.S. as an independent nation and committing France to fight alongside the U.S. until Britain recognized its independence.
Name the American militia leader nicknamed the "Swamp Fox" and describe one tactic he used to harass British forces.
Who is Francis Marion and small-unit guerilla tactics, ambushes and knowledge of local swamps?
Give one example (from notes) of how Americans used the environment or resources to slow British advances.
What is felling trees to block roads and removing cattle and crops from where the British army was headed.
Describe how local militias contributed to the American war effort and name the type of tactic used against the British forces?
What is guerilla warfare style hit and run attacks and ambushes? What is local knowledge for surprise attacks and harassment rather than set-piece battles?
Summarize why the Battles of Cowpens and Guilford Court House (1781) were important to the Southern campaign's outcome?
What is both battles inflicted heavy casualties and weakened British control in the South, contributing to the eventual collapse of British Southern Strategy.
How did the American victory at Saratoga specifically influence international diplomacy and military aid?
Describe General Nathan Greene's overall strategy in the South and explain how it helped wear down British forces.
What is splitting his forces into mobile units, used militias for raids to destroy supplies and aimed to exhaust British resources.
Summarize how control of trade and merchant shipping harmed Britain's war effort and name the naval commander famous for an aggressive action against British war ships.
What is seizure of merchant cargo by privateers and the Continental Navy. Who is John Paul Jones commander of the Bonhomme Richard.