Podcast
Questions and Answers
The Patriots had a small navy and a hastily organized, untrained ______.
The Patriots had a small navy and a hastily organized, untrained ______.
army
General George Washington never had more than ______ troops at one time and place.
General George Washington never had more than ______ troops at one time and place.
20,000
Few Americans were trained for ______.
Few Americans were trained for ______.
battle
Food shortages forced soldiers to beg for ______.
Food shortages forced soldiers to beg for ______.
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The new nation's Congress lacked the power to raise money for supplies by taxing the ______.
The new nation's Congress lacked the power to raise money for supplies by taxing the ______.
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Congress printed paper money, but its value dropped so low that merchants demanded to be paid in ______.
Congress printed paper money, but its value dropped so low that merchants demanded to be paid in ______.
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The French secretly aided the Americans due to their old hatred of the ______.
The French secretly aided the Americans due to their old hatred of the ______.
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Haym Salomon helped to ______ the war effort.
Haym Salomon helped to ______ the war effort.
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General Washington was not only an experienced military leader but also a man who inspired ______ and confidence.
General Washington was not only an experienced military leader but also a man who inspired ______ and confidence.
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The ragtag Continental army was kept together by ______ during the dark days of war.
The ragtag Continental army was kept together by ______ during the dark days of war.
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Great Britain entered the war from a position of ______.
Great Britain entered the war from a position of ______.
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The British forces had a professional army of about ______ troops at the beginning of the war.
The British forces had a professional army of about ______ troops at the beginning of the war.
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King George III hired ______ mercenaries from Germany to support British forces.
King George III hired ______ mercenaries from Germany to support British forces.
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The distance between Great Britain and America made sending troops and supplies ______.
The distance between Great Britain and America made sending troops and supplies ______.
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Poor leadership, notably from Lord George ______, caused issues for the British forces.
Poor leadership, notably from Lord George ______, caused issues for the British forces.
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After abandoning Boston, the British planned to capture ______ City.
After abandoning Boston, the British planned to capture ______ City.
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The Declaration of Independence declared the colonies to be 'free and ______ states.'
The Declaration of Independence declared the colonies to be 'free and ______ states.'
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Many African Americans were prompted to join the British side by promises of ______.
Many African Americans were prompted to join the British side by promises of ______.
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By ______, about 15 percent of the soldiers in the Continental army were African Americans.
By ______, about 15 percent of the soldiers in the Continental army were African Americans.
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By the war's end, several states had taken steps to end ______.
By the war's end, several states had taken steps to end ______.
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Study Notes
### American Weaknesses
- The Continental Army was always short of men, with fewer than 20,000 troops at any one time.
- Many soldiers only enlisted for short periods, leaving as soon as they learned to fight.
- American Soldiers lacked proper training and experience.
- The Army suffered from significant shortages of supplies, including guns, gunpowder, food, and uniforms.
- The Continental Congress, the new nation's government, lacked the power to raise money through taxes to pay for the war.
- As a result, Congress printed paper money, which quickly lost its value, and gold, which was also scarce, was needed for payments.
American Strengths
- The Americans held strong patriotic ideals, with many soldiers willing to fight for liberty and democracy.
- European powers, notably France, secretly provided military aid to the Americans, fueled by their hatred of England.
- Haym Salomon, a Polish Jew, helped to finance the war effort.
- General George Washington was a skilled and inspiring military leader, uniting the Continental army.
British Strengths
- The British army, with an initial strength of 42,000 troops, greatly outnumbered the Continental Army.
- The British hired an additional 30,000 mercenaries from Germany, called Hessians.
- The British army was well-trained and experienced in European military tactics, excelling in large, open-ground battles.
- They also had superior artillery skills and consistently strong supplies.
British Weaknesses
- The distance between Great Britain and America made sending troops and supplies costly and time-consuming.
- The British people lacked conviction in the war's necessity, making them hesitant to support the long and expensive conflict.
- Poor leadership, particularly from Lord George Germain, hampered the British war effort.
- Germain's constant changes in plans and generals hindered the British war effort, preventing an effective approach.
- The British underestimated the American resolve and the need to dismantle their will to fight state by state.
Declaration of Independence
- The Declaration of Independence, declaring the colonies' independence from Great Britain, boosted the morale of American troops.
African Americans and the War
- Many African Americans joined the Patriots cause, including both free and enslaved individuals.
- However, black people were initially banned from the Continental Army, due to concerns about enslaved people joining.
- The British offered freedom to enslaved people willing to fight for the king, prompting thousands to escape and join their forces.
- The Continental Army eventually recruited African American soldiers, with nearly 15% of soldiers being black by 1779.
- The participation of African Americans in the war sparked discussions about slavery and its contradiction with the principles of equality and liberty.
- By the war's end, several states, including Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, took steps toward abolishing slavery.
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Description
Explore the key strengths and weaknesses faced by the American forces during the Revolutionary War. From troop shortages to significant support from European powers, this quiz covers the complexities of the struggle for independence. Test your knowledge on the factors that shaped the outcomes of this pivotal conflict.
