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Questions and Answers
What were most soldiers in the Continental Army?
What were most soldiers in the Continental Army?
Why did some soldiers leave the Continental Army?
Why did some soldiers leave the Continental Army?
What was a major advantage the British army had over the Continental Army?
What was a major advantage the British army had over the Continental Army?
What motivated American soldiers to fight?
What motivated American soldiers to fight?
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What was an advantage the Continental Army had due to the size of the country?
What was an advantage the Continental Army had due to the size of the country?
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What was the significance of July 4, 1776?
What was the significance of July 4, 1776?
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What did Benjamin Franklin mean by his statement 'We must all hang together, or else we shall all hang separately.'?
What did Benjamin Franklin mean by his statement 'We must all hang together, or else we shall all hang separately.'?
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What was one of the advantages of the British army compared to the Continental Army?
What was one of the advantages of the British army compared to the Continental Army?
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What were soldiers for hire called?
What were soldiers for hire called?
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What was the main composition of the Continental Army?
What was the main composition of the Continental Army?
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Study Notes
American Revolutionary War Challenges
- The American Revolutionary War started more than a year before the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
- Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing that if the revolution failed, they would likely be executed by the British monarchy.
Loyalists and British Army Advantages
- About 50,000 Loyalists fought against the Continental Army, and many moved to Great Britain or Canada after the war.
- The British army had more trained soldiers, with a total of 50,000 Loyalist soldiers and 30,000 hired mercenaries.
- The British army was five times larger than the Continental Army and had well-trained, long-term soldiers.
Continental Army Challenges
- The Continental Army, led by George Washington, had to build an army from scratch with mainly farmer volunteers.
- Most soldiers volunteered for short terms, and some left to tend to their farms during planting and harvesting seasons.
- The Continental Army lacked supplies, including cannons, gunpowder, food, and uniforms, and often fought in their own clothes.
American Advantages
- The Americans fought on their own land, allowing for easier access to fresh soldiers and supplies.
- American soldiers fought to defend their homes, families, and freedom, which motivated them more than the British mercenaries.
- The large size of the country allowed American armies to move to other areas if the British won in one part.
Key Figures
- Benjamin Franklin emphasized the need for the new states to work together, saying "we must all hang together, or else we shall all hang separately."
- Thomas Paine wrote about the American plan to defend their country.
- George Washington led the Continental Army and struggled with a lack of supplies and short-term volunteers.
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Description
Learn about the American Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Discover how the colonies became independent states and formed the United States of America.
