American Revolution Phase 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What was the initial strategy of General Howe regarding the American forces?

To intimidate them into submission without fighting (correct)

To retreat and regroup with reinforcements

To engage them in direct combat immediately

To negotiate a peace treaty right away

What significant event occurred on Christmas night 1776?

The Continental Army surrendered to British forces

The Declaration of Independence was signed

Washington led his troops across the Delaware River (correct)

Howe's army launched an attack on Philadelphia

What was a notable consequence of Britain threatening Philadelphia?

Increased recruitment for the Continental Army

Permanent surrender of the American cause

Loss of morale among the Patriot forces (correct)

A successful defense of the city by the Patriots

Which author wrote 'The Crisis' to uplift the spirits of the Continental Army?

Thomas Paine Signup and view all the answers

During the winter of 1776, warfare was characterized as what?

A seasonal activity with little to no fighting Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the attack on Trenton, NJ on December 26th, 1776?

The Americans achieved total surprise and victory Signup and view all the answers

What condition did many of Washington's soldiers face while crossing the Delaware River?

Many were without shoes and exposed to freezing temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on Howe's strategy?

It changed his approach to direct military engagement Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Olive Branch Petition?

To ask the king to cease fighting and resolve disputes peacefully Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the beginning of the siege of Boston?

The battles of Lexington and Concord Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Continental Army after the Second Continental Congress?

George Washington Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill?

A costly victory for the British Signup and view all the answers

Which items were taken from Fort Ticonderoga that aided the Continental Army?

Weapons and cannons Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the American assault on Quebec in December 1775?

A retreat with heavy casualties Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant action taken by the British after the retreat from Boston?

Blockading American ports Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the American armies' march towards Canada?

To prevent British expansion Signup and view all the answers

In which location did the Continental Army force the British to evacuate?

Boston Signup and view all the answers

Which army leader experienced hardships during their journey through Maine?

Benedict Arnold Signup and view all the answers

What strategy did Greene employ to weaken the British army in the Carolinas?

Divide his forces into smaller units Signup and view all the answers

Which battle forced General Cornwallis to surrender to Washington?

Battle of Yorktown Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the defeat at Yorktown for British leadership?

Resignation of Prime Minister Lord North Signup and view all the answers

What tactic did the Patriots frequently use against the British conventional armies?

Guerilla warfare Signup and view all the answers

Why did Benedict Arnold cooperate with the British?

He was promised a pardon and a commission Signup and view all the answers

What strategic mistake did Cornwallis make during the siege at Yorktown?

Failing to secure naval support Signup and view all the answers

What did Britain agree to as part of the Treaty of Paris in 1783?

Recognizing the independence of the United States Signup and view all the answers

What was the fate of the British forces after the signing of the Treaty of Paris?

They left the United States entirely Signup and view all the answers

What directive did Greene give to his smaller units in the Carolinas?

To avoid direct engagements with the enemy Signup and view all the answers

Which event prompted France and Spain to agree to end hostilities?

The defeat of the British at Yorktown Signup and view all the answers

What was the main strategic mistake made by General Howe during the British campaign?

He left Burgoyne to fight alone in the north. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant outcome of the Battle of Saratoga?

It marked a turning point that convinced European nations to support the Americans. Signup and view all the answers

During the winter of 1777-1778, what was NOT a major issue faced by Washington’s army at Valley Forge?

Overcrowded living conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What did the French Alliance signify for the American cause?

Open support from a major European power against Britain. Signup and view all the answers

Which action did General Burgoyne take prior to the Battle of Saratoga?

He was initially able to advance steadily toward Albany. Signup and view all the answers

What was the intended purpose of General Howe's campaign in Philadelphia?

To capture the rebel capital and demoralize the Patriots. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary strategy Burgoyne used in his campaign toward Albany?

To take strategic forts along waterways for supply control. Signup and view all the answers

Which fact highlights a misconception the British held about the American colonies?

They underestimated the Patriot sentiment in southern colonies. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the Continental Army's situation at Valley Forge exemplifies the hardships faced?

Insufficient food leading to excessive hunger. Signup and view all the answers

What was an effect of the Hessian surrender at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton?

It significantly bolstered American morale and confidence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Phase 1: New England (April 1775 - April 1776)

Second Continental Congress met in May 1775 to determine next steps.
Created Continental Army & appointed George Washington as commander.
Issued paper money to pay soldiers.
Congress began acting like a government.
July 1775: Congress passed the Olive Branch Petition to resolve conflict peacefully with the King, and the Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms declaring colonists' preparedness to fight.
King ignored Olive Branch, sent 20,000 troops.

Bunker Hill

Americans besieged Boston after Lexington and Concord.
British attempted to take Breed's Hill, suffering nearly 1,000 casualties while the Americans lost roughly 400.
British victory, but some viewed it as an American victory due to high British losses.

Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775: Colonists captured Fort Ticonderoga, part of a surprise attack.
Located protecting the road to Canada.
Ethan Allen and Green Mountain Boys captured it.
Weapons from the fort aided the Continental Army in forcing British evacuation of Boston.

End of the Siege of Boston

Washington arrived in July 1775, commanding the army.
Used cannons from Ticonderoga to force British evacuation.
British blockade American ports, hired mercenaries.
Blockade: Shutting a port off with ships to prevent movement of people and supplies.
Mercenaries: Soldiers hired to serve another country.

Invading Canada

Two American armies marched north to Canada.
Richard Montgomery led an army from Ticonderoga, Benedict Arnold led another through Maine.
Arnold's journey faced extreme hardship.
December 1775: Two armies attacked Quebec, but were forced to retreat with Montgomery dead and Arnold wounded

Phase 2: Mid-Atlantic Region (1776 - 1778)

New York City

British regathered forces, focused on New York to end the rebellion after Boston.
Massive British invasion force (32,000) arrived off Staten Island, well after the Declaration.
Washington moved his 19,000-strong army south to meet them.
British General William Howe initially wanted to scare Americans into submission instead of fighting them directly.

Retreat from NYC

British engaged and defeated Americans at Long Island.
Continental Army retreated across New York & New Jersey.
Arrived in Pennsylvania by December 1776.
Warfare was seasonal.

Low Point for the Continental Army

British threatened Philadelphia, causing low morale and desertions.
Thomas Paine's The Crisis raised morale.

Crossing the Delaware

Christmas night 1776: Washington led 2,400 soldiers across the Delaware River.
Difficult conditions for soldiers.
Reached Trenton, NJ on December 26th and achieved a surprise attack.

Battles of Trenton & Princeton

Hessian soldiers (German mercenaries) surrendered to Washington.
British tried to capture Washington, suffering heavy casualties at Princeton.
British retreated to New York, Washington encamped at Morristown, NJ.

British Plan for Victory

British General John Burgoyne planned a three-pronged attack on Albany, from Canada, the west, and New York City.
Plan failed quickly.

Philadelphia

Howe aimed to capture rebel capital of Philadelphia.
Landed forces at Chesapeake Bay and defeated Washington at Brandywine Creek (September 11, 1777).
Washington failed in Germantown, British took Philadelphia.

Lead up to Saratoga

Burgoyne marched south from Quebec, retaking Fort Ticonderoga.
Horatio Gates took command of Continental Army in upstate NY.
Benedict Arnold and Nicholas Herkimer stopped British in Mohawk Valley.
John Stark blocked British supply lines at Bennington, VT.

Battle of Saratoga

Gates attacked Burgoyne's weakened army near Saratoga.
Burgoyne’s army, cut off from supplies & reinforcements, surrendered to Gates on October 17, 1777.

Results of Saratoga

Saratoga marked a turning point; ended British threat to New England.
Boosted Patriot morale and stalled British hopes for a quick victory.
Convinced European nations that the Americans could win.

British Blunders

British missed opportunities for victory due to strategic mistakes.

Valley Forge

Washington’s army camped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, winter of 1777–1778.
Faced severe shortages of supplies (food, clothing, housing).

The French Alliance

February 1778: France openly supported US independence and formed an alliance.
France initially secretly aided the Americans, but Saratoga provided an opportunity to weaken Britain.

Phase 3: The South (1778-1782)

British Hopes for the War

British attempted to defeat the revolution by focusing on areas with strong Loyalist support.
Expected more Loyalist support in the South.
Promise of emancipation to enslaved people joining the British upset white Southern colonists.

Changes on Both Sides

Sir Henry Clinton replaced General Howe, and moved to NYC.
Benedict Arnold's treason.

Southern Campaign

British captured Savannah, then Charleston, South Carolina.
British won conventional battles, but lost to guerilla tactics.

Greene’s Plan to Win

Nathanael Greene employed a strategy of using smaller, mobile units to wear down the British army.
Successes at Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse.

Yorktown, VA

Cornwallis moved to Yorktown, VA to await British naval support.
Washington and Rochambeau trapped Cornwallis by land and sea.

Battle of Yorktown

Cornwallis surrendered to combined American-French forces on October 17, 1781—four years after Saratoga.

Aftermath of Yorktown

British Prime Minister Lord North resigned.

Treaty of Paris 1783

Signed September 3, 1783, ending the war.
Britain recognized US independence, ceded territory east of Mississippi.
America agreed to pay debts to Britain.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the early events of the American Revolution from April 1775 to April 1776. This quiz covers significant occurrences like the formation of the Continental Army, the Olive Branch Petition, and key battles such as Bunker Hill and the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. Discover how these events shaped the fight for independence.