1. Chapter 7 SPN

2. Section 2

3. American Revolution
the struggle of the colonies in North America to gain their independence from Great Britain

4. Continental Army
the American army during the American Revolution

5. What were the American strengths at the beginning of the war?
The Americans had patriotism on their side; people were willing to give their lives for their country.
The Americans received secret aid from the French.
George Washington was an experienced military leader who inspired courage and confidence.

6. What were the American weaknesses at the beginning of the war?
The Continental army was small and always short of soldiers.
Few Americans were trained for battle.
The army was plagued by shortages of guns, gunpowder, food, and uniforms.

7. Section 3

8. What were the British strengths at the beginning of the war?
The British army had 50,000 soldiers, reinforced by 30,000 Hessian mercenaries, as well as Loyalists, Native Americans, and African Americans.
British soldiers were well trained and experienced.
British forces were well supplied with food, uniforms, ammunition, and weapons.

9. Hessians
mercenary German soldiers
hired by King George to fight with the British

10. What were the British weaknesses at the beginning of the war?
Sending troops and supplies from Great Britain to North America was slow and costly.
The British people were not passionate about defeating the rebels.
The British had poor military leadership.

11. Lord George Germain
the leader of British troops

12. Section 4

13. Why did the Declaration of Independence increase Americans’ motivation to fight and win the war?
Many Americans believed that freedom and independence were goals worth fighting for.

14. For which group of Americans did the Declaration of Independence raise hopes as well as questions? Why?
The Declaration raised hopes and questions for African Americans. They wondered if the words “all men are created equal” applied to them and if independence would bring an end to slavery.

15. What factors allowed the British to almost win the war in 1776?
The British, with their greater numbers and superior training, overwhelmed the inexperienced Americans at New York and in other battles in 1776.

16. Section 5

17. In your own words, what was the message of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet The Crisis?
The message of Paine’s The Crisis was to remind Americans that real patriots hold onto their beliefs, even in hard times.

18. How were the Americans able to win such an overwhelming victory at Trenton?
Washington had his troops cross the Delaware River at night and take the enemy by surprise early the next morning.

19. How did victories at Trenton and Princeton affect American morale?
Victories at Trenton and Princeton showed that the Americans could beat the British and their allies, which greatly boosted American morale. (morale = mood or feelings)

20. Section 6

21. strategy
an overall plan, such as for winning a war

22. As the war progressed, how did General Washington revise his military strategy?
Washington avoided large battles that might put his army at risk. Instead, he fought a defensive war designed to tire out the British.

23. What was General John Burgoyne’s military plan
What was General John Burgoyne’s military plan? What were some of the problems with his plan?
divide the Continental Army by gaining control of the Hudson River
controlling the river = controlling supplies getting to the colonists and Continental Army
Burgoyne left Canada in June 1777 with 8,000 British soldiers and American Indian warriors
problems
invasion route wasn’t as easy as they thought (rough terrain meant it took longer and used more supplies than expected)
Burgoyne was supposed to meet up with Gen. Howe, but Howe didn’t follow through with the plan

24. Why did the American cause look more hopeful after the Battle of Saratoga?
After the Battle of Saratoga, the French become allies of the Americans, and Spain also entered the war against Britain.

25. ally
a nation that joins another nation in some common effort, such as fighting a war

26. Name two foreigners who were present with the Americans at Valley Forge, and explain how they helped the Americans.
Baron Friedrich von Steuben of Prussia drilled the American soldiers and turned them into an organized fighting force.
The Marquis de Lafayette of France used his own money to buy clothing for the soldiers.

27. Section 7

28. Lord Charles Cornwallis
British leader of troops in the South

29. What tactics did the Americans use successfully against the British in the Southern Colonies?
Americans in the South used guerrilla tactics, like hit-and-run raids, against the British.

30. How did the success of the Continental army in the South contribute to the American victory?
The Continental army tired out the British in the South and eventually forced them to retreat to Yorktown, where they were defeated.

31. How did the French help the Americans in the Battle of Yorktown?
French troops and warships helped the Americans to trap the British army at Yorktown.

32. In which colonies did the battles of the American Revolution take place? (see map on page 131)
New York
New Jersey
Virginia
South Carolina

33. In which region did most of the battles occur? (see map on page 131)
the Middle Colonies

34. Section 8

35. How did the British people and the king respond to news of the Battle of Yorktown?
Most British people accepted the defeat at Yorktown, but King George did not want to accept defeat.

36. What were three key provisions of the Treaty of Paris?
Three key provisions of the Treaty of Paris were
Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent country
Great Britain handed over territory from the Atlantic Coast to the Mississippi River
the United States agreed to return all rights and property taken from Loyalists during the war

37. Give two examples of how the American Revolution affected other parts of the world.
The American Revolution helped inspire revolts against European rule throughout South America.
The Americans also influenced the French Revolution.

38. Reading Further

39. For all of his fame, George Washington shared many qualities and emotions that we all have. Write five sentences describing George Washington. Incorporate these words in your sentences and underline them: cautious, compassion, concern, emotional, homesick, proud, strict, uncertain, worried
share your sentences