Americans of the eighteenth century might question: What were the most pivotal battles of the revolution? Was it at Saratoga, where the British marched through the dense forests of Massachusetts, trying to isolate the northern colonies and then attack them? When the Americans in Massachusetts heard of this plan, they constructed a plan to attack this convoy? Wa s it at Trenton, when Washington took his men on December 25th across the frigid Delaware River to surprise the Hessians? Then captured around 1,500 Hessians, and marched through the city of Philadelphia. Was it at Yorktown, where the final battle was held against the British? And were assisted by the French in taking down British forts. The most pivotal battles of the …show more content…
Even though Bemis Heights had more deaths at six hundred, the warfare was more brutal at Freeman’s Farm. “The British, who enjoyed a degree of success at Freeman's Farm, now suffered from reduced rations, and their horses died of starvation.”(American Revolution). The British general John Burgoyne's men were shivering in the cold fall nights while still wearing their summer uniforms The second battle was Bemis heights, where 1,600 British were sent to flank the Americans. Then the Americans launched two attacks on British redoubts. By this time, Burgoyne was waiting for reinforcements when British general William Howe (the reinforcements) decided to attack the rebel capital Philadelphia. Now Burgoyne's supplies were coming more infrequently. Five thousand eight hundred and ninety five hessian and British troop surrendered on October 17, 1777, after the battle of Bemis heights. After the battle, the Americans signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, allying them with the French. This battle changed the nature of the war because having a treaty with France caused an international conflict. This battle changed the nature of the war, and annihilated about 83 percent of Burgoyne’s infantry. The Battle of Trenton was another key part of the American Revolution, because it granted the Americans a chance to win the war. Before the war started, Washington retreated from The Battle
Between 1770 and 1776, resistance to imperial change turned into a full-on revolution. The American Revolution, also known as the Revolutionary War, was a time of revolting and political uprising, in which the 13 colonies separated from the British Empire, forming the independent nation known as the United States of America. Though the American Revolution began because the colonies wanted independence from Britain, many important historical events and revolts also lead to the tensions and resistance to what resulted in freedom and independence for the colonies from British rule. Events such as the Stamp and Sugar Acts, the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Intolerable Acts, and the Continental Congress led to expanding tensions and soon to the outbreak of the American Revolution.
In 1781 general George Washington and his 17,000 troops of the continental army and the army of France entered the city of Yorktown, Virginia. With Lord General Cornwallis he only had 9,000 troops to try to defend the city of Yorktown. This is known as the most important battle in the revolutionary war.
The Battle of Saratoga proved to be a turning point in the American struggle for independence during the American Revolution. The campaign of Saratoga took place on the fields of upstate New York, nine miles south of the town of Saratoga. In accordance with British plans, General John Burgoyne was making an attempt to invade New England from Canada with
The Battle of Bennington occurred on 16 August, 1777, as part of the Saratoga campaign during the American Revolutionary War. The actual location of the engagement was approximately 8 miles northwest of the small town of Bennington, Vermont. As far as military battles are concerned, the Battle of Bennington could be considered fairly minor. The initial British contingent, led by a Hessian lieutenant-colonel, was only comprised of around 700 troops. The colonial force was comprised of roughly 2,000 men. The entirety of the main fight took place on the afternoon of 16 August, including the second skirmish with a smaller British force of approximately 500 men sent as reinforcements. When finished, there were roughly 240 dead on both sides,
First, I believe that the British were more responsible for the battle is because the colonists were making the British pay for taxes that they didn’t have a say for the approval of them. If I was the British, I would be mad to because your paying taxes but don’t even have a say in the approval
The second crucial battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Bemis Heights, occurred on October 7, 1777. The start of the American revolution taking a complete turn. General Burgoyne was determined to launch an attack on the Americans at Bemis Heights. By this time, American General Gates was reinforced with his army of about 12,000 men versus around 4,000 British and Germans. The French Alliance changed the face of the war for the British, “the American war for independence was now in essence a world war”. France had been secretly supplying weapons and ammunition to the American soldiers. They kept it a secret because the French didn’t want a show or create an open alliance, but soon the French realized that the Patriots had an opportunity to win the war. They were now willing to form an open alliance with the Americans against the British. The alliance with French was critical and essential for winning the war. Without the French, the Patriots would have lost. Some benefits of the alliance were that the French provided supplies and ammunitions to the Americans so that they could continue fighting. French also volunteered their soldiers and generals. America was now ready for war with the British. Since Freeman's Farm, the Patriots had increased in strength. Gates’ army now had
A major battle in the book 1776, and an important turning point of the year, was the Battle of Trenton. After crossing the Delaware River, the Continental Army opened fire on the surprised Hessian troops that were stationed there. After a 45-minute battle, the Hessians surrendered, giving the Americans a much needed victory. McCullough shows the importance of this battle by describing multiple American victories that followed, such as the Battles of Princeton and Fort Lee.
During the time of the American Revolution, there were many battles that took place and affected the Revolution. One battle though, made a huge impact on the American Revolution. The Battle of Saratoga proved that the disadvantaged and weaker American forces were strong enough to overpower the British forces. It all started when General John Burgoyne needed to get his forces to Albany. He and his army headed across the Hudson River, where they would then take a road south-ward to Albany. Burgoyne knew the enemy (American forces) were in the area, but he did not know of their exact location. Leading to the Battles of Bemis Heights and Freeman's Farm, the Battle of Saratoga became known as a highly significant battle
The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a war between England and the colonies which were settled earlier by the English. There were many factors and events that led to the American Revolution. The Revolution was mainly an economic rebellion that was fueled by taxation without representation following the French and Indian War. The English Parliament was more often than not considered cruel and unfair by the colonists. With conflicts over trade, taxes and government representation, the colonies were at a starting line of a revolution that would later transform into the basis of the United States of America.
The American Revolutionary War took place from 1775 to 1783. The war made the thirteen colonies of the United States of America independent from Great Britain. One of the first major battles of the American Revolution was The Battle of Long Island. The Battle of Long Island was the first battle that took place after the United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776. The battle took place in August 1776 and proved to both sides that the upcoming war would be long and arduous, not easily won by either side. The British Army was victorious in this battle and forced the Continental Army to retreat leaving the entire state of New York under British control. This paper will provide insight and valuable information into the reason behind the American Revolution, and The Battle of Long Island, specifically details concerning the Continental and British Armies, strategies employed during the battle, and an alternate outcome through addressing failures in the American strategy. An alternate outcome to the battle would have a significant impact on the American Revolutionary War.
The Revolutionary War was a dreadful war leaving almost 70,000 U.S. and British soldiers dead or wounded. The war lasted eight years with America, France, Spain, and the Dutch on one side and Great Britain on the other. On October 19, 1781 the last major land battle took place, the Battle of Yorktown. Similar to other battles in the Revolutionary War, the Americans were fighting for independence from the British and as threats from them kept increasing, the situation did not get any better. George Washington is recognized to having inspired the victory achieved over the British forces. The tactics, skills, courage and the collaboration George Washington sought with the
In regards to the American Revolution, the point that armed rebellion became inevitable arrived when after nearly five constant years of American colonist protesting. American 's had enough and needed to take a stand for the numerous inequalities they were forced to deal with. It was foreseeable that the American Revolution took place due to the unfair taxes that the British were giving Americans. Also, England was not allowing Americans their freedom, along with violence and the political dominance by the Parliament over the colonies by announcing the Stamp Act in 1765, which happened to nearly affect all Americans tremendously.
The Battle of Trenton persuaded men to reenlist so Washington would still have an army in the new year. Washington planned on surprising the British in Princeton, but decided to wait considering Ewing and Caldwalader never made it across the river. A week later, on January 3, 1777 Washington recrossed the Delaware River with his troop into Princeton. The battle lasted less than an hour, but around one hundred British men were killed or wounded and they captured two hundred. The Americans only suffered forty casualties (Dupuy 83-84). These two wins boosted the patriot’s morale and helped Washington rise back to the top as a military commander (Murphy). These two victories also convinced America that the war was not over yet, there was still hope. Overall winning these battles created a spark of hope and a wave of electricity. There were many battles Washington led, but
By the War of Independence, slavery was deeply rooted in the American colonies. However, the Revolution provided African American slaves with several opportunities to obtain their freedom, including through military service in the British and American armed forces. From the war’s outset, both American and British government officials as well as military officers contemplated how they could use African American slaves to further their war efforts. This paper uses a case study approach to explore two instances in the Revolutionary War of slaves gaining freedom in exchange military service. The two cases examined are Lord Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment and John Laurens’ proposal to emancipate slaves in the Deep South. Exploring these plans offers insight into how certain British and American leaders viewed slaves and slavery in the context of the Revolutionary War. Each plan was implemented at different times for different reasons. A chief reason in both cases was a shortage of manpower, but not the only reason. For example, Lord Dunmore needed manpower but also hoped to use armed ex-slaves to scare Virginians into submission. John Laurens, on the other hand, had serious moral reservations about slavery and was fueled not only by a shortage of manpower and the deteriorating military situation in the South, but also by his idealistic opposition to slavery.
The American Revolution was a war for independence. It was a war which was fought for equal rights and the freedom of a would be nation. It showed the pure courage and heart of the American colonists by pitting them against a much more powerful opponent. The British had the best army in the world, and the colonists were often just poor farmers armed with their hunting muskets. It was truly a case of David versus Goliath. The reasons, course, and outcome of the American Revolution provided the perfect scenario for achieving independence.