...Given the overwhelming British victories in New York and New Jersey in 1776, how was General Washington able to avoid catastrophic defeat and eventually win the war? By Julie Moss A paper submitted to the Faculty of the Naval War College in partial satisfaction of the requirements of the Department of Strategy and War. The contents of this paper reflect my own personal views and are not necessarily endorsed by the Naval War College or the Department of the Navy. Signature: /JKM/ BACKGROUND Following the French-Indian War, The American Revolution began between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the former British colonies in North America. The British power was trying to overwhelm the colonists of New America with many acts, such as the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act, and the Intolerable Acts, all of which were deemed illegitimate by the colonists and in violation of the rights as Englishmen. For the most part, colonists were trying to reject the oligarchies that were common in Europe and started to believe in Republicanism based on the Enlightenment. Many leaders took part in this Revolution; one of the most important of whom was General George Washington. His role was vital in the victory for Americans and their freedom from the power of Britain. As the war for independence approached, Washington was known throughout the American Colonies for his courage and military exploits. In Virginia, he had established a reputation as a man of principle and a man who could...
Words: 2943 - Pages: 12
...Statesman, The Writer, and the Military Man: How George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Andrew Jackson Helped Construct America’s Identity All of America’s founding fathers contributed greatly to the formation of the United States and helped build this nation through their accomplishments and dedication to making their home a better place for all Americans. But of the 55-plus men whom history has given the name of “founding father,” the contributions of George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Paine (1737-1809), and Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) stand out for their range of accomplishments, their contribution to critical components of democracy and its identity, and to military achievements that helped form the geography of the place we know as America. For me, this statesman, this writer, and this military strategist serve as the greatest examples of the titans of America we call our founding fathers. George Washington was not only our first president to be elected into office, but he is also notable for being the only president in the country’s history to receive a unanimous vote. Although our nation recognizes many founding fathers, Washington is known as the “Father” of The United States for many reasons — and not solely because he was elected as the first President of The United States in 1789 and unanimously elected again in 1792. His accomplishments before, during, and after his presidency have earned him the title “Father” of the United States. Washington assisted Congress with...
Words: 1679 - Pages: 7
...University of Phoenix Material Causes and Outcomes of the Revolution Part 1: Causes Complete the grid by describing each pre-war event and explaining how it contributed to the Revolutionary War. |Pre-war event |Description |Contribution to the Revolutionary War | |French and Indian War|Also known as the Seven Years’ War, this New World conflict marked another |The French and Indian War helped lead to the Revolutionary War in two ways. | | |chapter in the long imperial struggle between Britain and France. When France’s | | | |expansion into the Ohio River valley brought repeated conflict with the claims |First funding this war lead to a huge national debt for Great Britain, which they felt | | |of the British colonies, a series of battles led to the official British |the Americans should help pay. Parliament decided to service the debt by passing the | | |declaration of war in 1756. Boosted by the financing of future Prime Minister |stamp act, a terrible failure that angered citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, which | | |William Pitt, the British turned the tide with victories at Louisbourg, Fort |started the rift...
Words: 3026 - Pages: 13
...The Battle of Yorktown is one of the most important battles of the American revolution. The Battle of Yorktown was the last battle of the American revolution. Before the battle there was a siege that lasted a month. The Battle of Yorktown was caused by the revolution and as a result America won its independence. The siege of Yorktown lasted from September to October. The battle began on October 14. “When Charles, Lord Cornwallis, British commander… retreated to the Yorktown peninsula in June 1781 to rest and re equip his battered army” ( Siege of Yorktown, history.com) George Washington pretended that he was going to attack New York but at the last minute he and his troops marched to Yorktown. The American troops held a siege outside of Yorktown....
Words: 329 - Pages: 2
...Because February is Black History month I will be doing my research paper on the lives four blacks and what effect they had on American History. I will start out by asking the question, why most American history books don’t cover in written the history of individual black’s involvement in shaping of American in greater detail. The Two topics I will be covering are the Revolutionary War and The Civil War as far what blacks’ involvement. The first three paragraphs of this research paper will cover the events and history of three African Americans whose importance was not greatly covered during the Revolutionary War section of this book. I also am writing researching Mary Elizabeth Bowser, a free black woman. I will discuss what she during...
Words: 1457 - Pages: 6
...America exponentially expanded socially, economically, and politically from 1789-1824. America had just ratified a new founding document, the Constitution, and the nation turned to Revolutionary hero, George Washington, for leadership. The beloved father of the country led the nation through the storm of confusion and disagreement during the start of the time period. Washington showcased his infinite wisdom by appointing the nation’s leading minds to assist him in the form of his cabinet. Showing the same military tact he had shown in the Revolution, Washington crushed the Whiskey Rebellion, thereby proving the power of his federal government. Washington showed restraint, however, when he pardoned the rebels. This restraint continued when he issued his Proclamation of Neutrality, declaring that the United States would not be involved in European affairs. Perhaps the most important legacy Washington left came in terms of the precedent he sent by stepping down after only two terms. Washington also left the nation with sound advice when in his farewell address....
Words: 842 - Pages: 4
...business. He opposed Great Britain’s Stamp act of 1765, since it taxed his type of business dealings so he became a smuggler of goods going into the colonies1. Hancock was very involved in revolutionary politics and made his intentions known. When public attitude toward Great Britain became more and more aggravated he made an announcement stating his one-hundred percent opposition to the throne even if it meant losing his life for the cause1. John and Samuel Adams worked together during this time of protest and were the leading figures of the anti-British radicals, so...
Words: 1128 - Pages: 5
...Most Americans nowadays like to think that they have the American Revolution pretty well figured out. Conventional wisdom starts the saga in 1763 when Britain, saddled with debt at the close of the Seven Years' War, levied new taxes that prompted her American colonists to resist, and then to reject, imperial rule. Having declared independence and defeated the British, American patriots then drafted the constitution that remains the law of the land to this day. With George Washington's inauguration as president in 1789, the story has a happy ending and the curtain comes down. This time-honored script renders the road from colonies to nation clear, smooth, and straight, with familiar landmarks along the way, from Boston's Massacre and Tea Party through Lexington and Concord, then on to Bunker Hill and Yorktown before reaching its destination: Philadelphia in 1787, where the Founders invented a government worthy of America's greatness. Those Founders are equally familiar. Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison, Sam and John Adams, Patrick Henry and Alexander Hamilton: in the popular mind this band of worthies, more marble monuments than mere mortals, guides America towards its grand destiny with a sure and steady hand. "[F]or the vast majority of contemporary Americans," writes historian Joseph Ellis, the birth of this nation is shrouded by "a golden haze or halo."(1) So easy, so tame, so much "a land of foregone conclusions" does America's Revolution...
Words: 6252 - Pages: 26
...in an attempt to promote interbranch cooperation. The Framers had extreme distrust in a large national government and especially in the case of executive power due to the events that led to the Revolutionary War. However, by the time the Constitutional Convention, most of the Framers were convinced of the need for a strong and independent executive at the national level. They also took steps to ensure the executive position could act with the necessary decisiveness and dispatch, most importantly the President was granted extensive powers, primarily the enumerated powers found in Article II of the Constitution. Despite the absence of a written provision of separation of powers in the Constitution, the Framers believed the principle to be implicit within the structure of government under the document. As John Marshall stated the framers sought to create a Constitution “intended to endure for ages to come and consequently to be adapted to the various crises of human affairs”. The ideas within the Constitution are seemingly designed to create perfect harmony, however, conflict and power struggles are as age old as the Constitution itself. Within five years of its ratification James Madison and Alexander Hamilton were at ends over the Constitutionality of President George Washington to issue a proclamation of American neutrality in the war between France and...
Words: 1361 - Pages: 6
...President | Who were they? | What years did they serve? | Political party affiliated with? | Major issues of the day | 1. George Washington | Commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary war. | April 30, 1789-March 3,1797 | Federalist | He was tasked with starting a new country under democratic principles. | 2. John Adams | First president to live in the white house, member of the Continental Congress. | March 4,1797-March 3,1801 | Federalist | The U.S. was about to go to war because of the XYZ Affair. | 3. Thomas Jefferson | Governor of Virginia and member of Virginia House of Burgess. Primary writer of the Decoration of Independence. | March 4, 1801-March 3, 1809 | Democratic-Republican | The Library of Congress Started, Lewis and Clark began expeditions, and the Louisiana territory was purchased from France. | 4. James Madison | Member of the Constitutional Convention and the U.S. House of Representatives, Secretary of State under Jefferson. | March 4, 1809- March 3, 1817 | Democratic-Republican | Declares war on England , had to re build Washington after it was burned when it was captured. | 5. James Monroe | Member of Continental Congress, he was a senator, Secretary of State under Madison. | March 4, 1817-March 3, 1825 | Democratic-Republican | The Missouri Compromise and the United Sates obtains Florida. | 6. John Quincy Adams | Secretary of State Under Monroe, Commissioner at Treaty of Ghent. | March 4, 1825- March 3, 1829 | Democratic-Republican...
Words: 1090 - Pages: 5
...contemporaries, while also describing Thomas Jefferson as the “Bugs Bunny” of his time. Some historical diehards might balk at seeing Alexander Hamilton portrayed in a vulgar, common light, but according to historian Ron Chernow, Lin’s decision to tell Hamilton’s story through the common tongue is actually a rather Shakespearean method of storytelling. Lin may have sacrificed formality, but he gained more than enough in relevance. In one scene, attendants to Lin’s performance at the White House admit that Hamilton resonated with them even though they’ve felt disinterested in history for their entire lives. This confirms that Lin accomplished his overarching goal of turning Hamilton’s story into a relevant and modern creature through a progressive re-interpretation of...
Words: 1505 - Pages: 7
...Jonathan Edwards. 9) French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a watershed event in the political development of the colonies. 10) Stamp Acts of 1765 was enforced and imposed a tax on the colonies following the Seven Years War. 11) Boston Tea Party in 1773 protest against British taxes and government. * Key Court Cases: Witchcraft trials (1480-1750) executions of innocent people that were accused of being witches or involving with any witchcraft. * Important Documents 1) Mayflower Compact 2) Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges * Most influential person- Christopher Columbus * People establishing themselves in the new world and establishing a self governing government. Unit Two The Revolutionary War & Founding the New Nation (Ch. 6-9) * Years-1774-1789 * Presidents-None * Foreign Policies/Key Events 1) Plan of 1776 sets out...
Words: 2567 - Pages: 11
...Jonathan Edwards. 9) French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a watershed event in the political development of the colonies. 10) Stamp Acts of 1765 was enforced and imposed a tax on the colonies following the Seven Years War. 11) Boston Tea Party in 1773 protest against British taxes and government. * Key Court Cases: Witchcraft trials (1480-1750) executions of innocent people that were accused of being witches or involving with any witchcraft. * Important Documents 1) Mayflower Compact 2) Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges * Most influential person- Christopher Columbus * People establishing themselves in the new world and establishing a self governing government. Unit Two The Revolutionary War & Founding the New Nation (Ch. 6-9) * Years-1774-1789 * Presidents-None * Foreign Policies/Key Events 1) Plan of 1776 sets out basic...
Words: 2557 - Pages: 11
...The United States Military Police Corps History and steps to being a Member of the Military Police Corps Why do we study history? the answer to that question is a three-part answer, one not to repeat the mistakes of the past, second to understand how the past affects today and the future and third to see where we are going as we must know where we have come from. The Military Police Corps was established The Military Police Corps is one of the youngest branches of the United States Army. It was officially established on 26 September 1941. It is traditions of duty and service is unsurpassed in our armed services. Soldiers have been performing police duties from the time of the Revolutionary War, when these duties were assigned mainly to a mounted police force called the "troops of the Marechaussee.” Soldiers as the Veteran's Reserve Corps and Provost Corps performed military police duties during the Civil War. MPs served with distinction in the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, and in Vietnam. Because of their distinguished service in Vietnam, the Military Police Corps was designated a combat support and service of the Army on 14 October 1968. Whenever the United States engaged in warfare, some form of police element emerged to assist its leaders in maintaining various aspects of discipline. Surfacing when necessity dictated, the Military Police Corps evolved through several phases, each meeting the needs of a particular period in American history. Assuming...
Words: 2905 - Pages: 12
...Jonathan Edwards. 9) French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a watershed event in the political development of the colonies. 10) Stamp Acts of 1765 was enforced and imposed a tax on the colonies following the Seven Years War. 11) Boston Tea Party in 1773 protest against British taxes and government. * Key Court Cases: Witchcraft trials (1480-1750) executions of innocent people that were accused of being witches or involving with any witchcraft. * Important Documents 1) Mayflower Compact 2) Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges * Most influential person- Christopher Columbus * People establishing themselves in the new world and establishing a self governing government. Unit Two The Revolutionary War & Founding the New Nation (Ch. 6-9) * Years-1774-1789 * Presidents-None * Foreign Policies/Key Events 1) Plan of 1776 sets out...
Words: 2567 - Pages: 11
