...Semester Event The Battle of Yorktown was a major turning point in the Revolutionary War and led to the creation of the United States of America. After six grueling years of war the end of the war was near. Six months before the morale of the continental army was at the lowest point of the war. Congress was bankrupt due to rampant inflation caused by the mass production of continental dollars. The continental army was being trounced in the south by the British who had regained South Carolina and Georgia. Also many of the men in the continental army were mutinying. However in July of 1780 a French force landed in Newport, Rhode Island and this boosted American morale greatly (Fleming 11-13). Russia had suggested peace negotiations between the Americans and the British however the Americans were sure that they would not be allowed their freedom or unity as the thirteen colonies. If they had entered peace negotiations without new major victories then even if they had gained their freedom they would not have been unified and would have quickly been taken over by the British once more. Washington planned to gain a major victory by recapturing New York from the British. He had sent the Marquis de Lafayette to counter the British invasion of Virginia and had sent him a message regarding his plans towards New York, however the message was captured by the British and the plans were discovered (Fleming 14–16). General Rochambeau dissuaded Washington of attacking New York and persuaded...
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...Finally a sign from God came; the brutal storm that had followed us shielded us from the ignorance of the Hessians. Not even an hour had passed before we had them surrounded and pleading for surrender. In the end around 1,000 of the Hessians had been captured as well as all their supplies. This was a monumental moment for our revolution. The days that followed would be just as significant. After re-crossing the Delaware I deceived Cornwallis in occupying Trenton believing that our forces were already stationed there, leading him to presume an easy victory. This enabled my forces to attack Cornwallis from Princeton, where he was unprotected. Victory and independence was ours. Looking back on all of the events that transpired, there...
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...The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown, the Surrender at Yorktown, German Battle or the Siege of Little York,[a][b] ending on October 19, 1781, at Yorktown, Virginia, was a decisive victory by a combined force of American Continental Army troops led by General George Washington and French Army troops led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by British peer and Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. The culmination of the Yorktown campaign, the siege proved to be the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War in the North American theater, as the surrender by Cornwallis, and the capture of both him and his army, prompted the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict. The battle...
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...The Battle Of Yorktown Table of Contents How did the Battle of Yorktown start? What was the Battle of Yorktown? What were some outcomes of the Battle of Yorktown? Introduction "Stomp,Stomp,Thump!" You stand amid a monstrous stampede of thousands of colonists from the Continental Army. The date is September 28,1781 and you are in the Battle of Yorktown. How did your general, George Washington, arrive at this major turning point in the war? "Boom,blast" the British's cannons blast overhead. Many soldiers droop their heads as they think "Will this battle really have a positive outcome on the war for independence?" But, a cheer erupts from the crowd and you realize your nation is on the path of independence. And with the help of my book, you will learn so much more about one of the most important battles in our nation’s history. How did the Battle of Yorktown start?...
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...betrayal, Arnold was not received well in England.This was mainly because his British messenger was hung for spying. Benedict also had forgotten his values in the war. Without established values, he could not think further into his actions. Benedict Arnold was America's greatest hero. At the battle for Fort Ticonderoga, Benedict's horse fell on him. Later, Benedict lost two battles on Lake Champlain with his hastily assembled fleet. Shortly afterwards, Arnold marched to Quebec and take control of Canada. Benedict Arnold was shot in his already crippled left leg. His superior officer Montgomery was killed. The battle for Quebec was lost. Benedict thought he sacrificed enough to be promoted, yet Continental Congress thought otherwise, promoting his junior officers. When Arnold was promoted, he lost his seniority. Anger led Arnold to lose passion for the war. He began to sell information to England about American positions. Eventually, Benedict began to use his close friend George Washington. Washington insisted Arnold take the left flank of the Continental Army, while Benedict begged to be given West Point. George eventually agreed to give Arnold the fort. That was when Arnold began to contact Sir Henry Clinton. Benedict Arnold told John Andre to carry valuable document across enemy lines to the British. This carried on until the plan evolved into weakening West Point for British capture. Benedict Arnold did it subtly, wasting supplies. Inspection was...
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...General George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware in order to ambush a very strong Hessian Army was a key moment that gave the colonials the upper hand in the war. Washington and his army attacked December 25, 1776 on the Hessians at Trenton. If the attack had never happened, then the colonials may have never secured the conquer over the British. I think that this plan could not of been performed by anyone else but General George Washington. General Washington had been considering some sort of extremely bold move since arriving in Pennsylvania. With the arrival of a massive amount of military members, he felt the time was finally right for some sort of action. He first considered an attack on one of the most southern positions near British positions near Mount Holly, where a military force had gathered. He sent his second in command, Joseph Reed, to meet with Samuel Griffin, the military commander. Joseph arrived on December 22, and found Griffin’s men in relatively poor condition, but they were willing to make some sort of diversion. This was later called the Battle of Iron Works Hill the next day. This battle drew the Hessians at Bordentown south so that they would be unable to come to the assistance at the Trenton. The intelligence gathered by Joseph and others led Washington to abandon the idea of attacking at Mount Holly, and instead target Trenton. He announced this decision to his army on December 23, saying the attack would take place just before dawn on December...
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...Oliver H. Perry Served in the war of 1812 and earned the title of "Hero of Lake Erie" for leading American forces in a decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie. Battle of Lake Erie Fought on September 10, 1813 in Lake Erie during the War of 1812; 9 vessels from the US Navy defeated and captured 6 vessels of Great Britain's Royal Navy; ensured American control of the lake and allowed Americans to recover Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames to break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh; biggest naval battle of the War of 1812. Burning of DC August 24,1814 (during the War of 1812); British Army occupied Washington DC and set fire to many public buildings following the American defeat at the Battle of Bladensburg; Facilities of the US Government (i.e. White House and Capitol) were largely destroyed. Defense of Ft. McHenry The poem that later become our national anthem written by Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Ft. McHenry in the War of 1812. Wm. Henry Harrison 9th president of the United States who died days after elected into office; gained national fame for leading US forces against American Indians in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811; general in the War of 1812, his most notable contribution was the victory at the Battle of the Thames in 1813. Andrew Jackson 7th president; commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815; dominated American...
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...Critical Reasoning and Battle Analysis of the Battle of Princeton The Battle of Princeton was a great victory for the Americans during the Revolutionary war. Had General Mercer and John Haslet not been killed along with other American officers, the victory would have been even greater. General Washington could have utilized the momentum from his victory at Princeton to advance his troops upon New Brunswick before the winter encampments. The battle of Princeton occurred on the morning of 3 January, 1777 just nine days after the American victory at Trenton. The battle will forever remain a key American victory. My writings will illustrate in-depth analysis of General Washington’s and Colonel Mawhood’s initial movements that could have led to a more one-sided American victory at Princeton. Subsequently, General Washington could have won that war sooner if he continued with a follow on mission to New Brunswick. The Battle of Princeton Defining the Battle of Princeton that occurred on the morning of 3 Jan 1777, just nine days after the Battle of Trenton (25-26 December 1776). American Historians often consider the Battle of Princeton a great victory, on par with the Battle of Trenton, due to the subsequent loss of control of most of New Jersey by the Crown Forces. (SIGHT this Source) General Lord Cornwallis was not directly involved in the Battle of Princeton however, his maneuvers at Trenton make him the main adversary leading up to the battle of Princeton. Colonel Mawhood...
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...Arnold played an important role in the American revolution, as Paul A. Hutton Prof. of history in University of New Mexico says, “to the average American, Arnold and traitor mean the same thing” . Arnold was the man who led the New Haven minute men in 1775, later on Arnold was given an army and along with the Green Mountain boys and Ethan Allen he successfully took Fort Ticonderoga. Arnold was also the man who sold his allegiance to the enemy ( the British) for 20,000 pounds! Benedict Arnold was notoriously known for being a traitor during the American Revolution was born Norwich, Connecticut to a wealthy family, but was later left bankrupt due to his fathers carless drinking habit, making Benedict Arnold more or less a self-made man. His family already had a long history of success in America, his great-great grandfather was the founder of Rhode Island, while his great grandfather was elected governor of Rhode island ten times. His mother a strict puritan believed her only son had been hand-picked for greatness (“Wilson B”). After the death of both his parents, Arnold escaped to New haven, Connecticut and opened a store selling drugs and books. Arnold soon became one of new havens leading citizens, he married Margeret Mansfield and had three boys. By this time Arnold was a sea captain and was required by the new tax to stay at sea more. During the time of “taxation without representation” Arnold saw himself as a rebel, a radical, and a smuggler which he was. When news of...
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...Being a traitor is one of the biggest crimes one can commit against their country, especially during a time of war. A prime example of someone who betrayed their country to help the other side is Benedict Arnold, who secretly helped the British during the American Revolution even though he was technically an American. Born in Connecticut in January of 1741, Benedict was destined to have some part in the American Revolution. He had a rough childhood as his father was an alcoholic and he eventually signed up for the militia when he was 16. He became a member of the Sons of Liberty, a secret group formed during the American Revolution for revolutionaries, as he was angry at the British for taxing his goods so heavily. Arnold by this time...
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...Benedict Arnold was an American patriot and general during the American Revolution. Many questions and controversies have came up regarding his loyalty to the colonies. There seems to be two sides to the story: some people say that Arnold was a hero, some say he was a traitor. Despite this controversy, Arnold showed heroic characteristics and qualities throughout his life and career as a general. Benedict Arnold was a hero because he led the American soldiers in the Revolution confidently, diligently, and hopefully. A good deed in which Arnold did during the time of the Revolution was supply his officers with adequate necessities during battles. An example of this is when the men camped outside of Quebec, waiting for the perfect time to attack. The soldiers were cold, wet, and hungry. They hadn’t eaten a proper meal for days or even weeks. However, Arnold came to the rescue. His heroic self had “reached the nearest town and had sent back these animals for food. There were sheep, too, and sacks of flour” (Sheinkin 77). This considerate act nourished the army and helped them successfully attack and claim Quebec. Arnold also was a hero because of his innovative thinking and ability to come up with solutions. He thinks intelligently to protect himself, serve his commander in chief, and protect his army. An example of this is when he offered a plan to take over Quebec. The main American army had originally planned to take over Montreal, but Arnold suggested that “While the main...
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...General Clinton had ordered Cornwallis and his army to protect the Chesapeake Bay. was in Yorktown because he had been ordered by Clinton during the summer to provide a protected harbor for the British fleet in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Rather than going deep into the Chesapeake Bay. The French fleet, as part of the overall plan, assaulted the coast of Yorktown with 3,000 French troops laying in wait for Washington and Rochambeau in Williamsburg. On September 5, The Battle of the Capes took place near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay where the British suffered major losses in their supplies and their ships. At the same time, the French established a blockade to entrap the British, led by Cornwallis. François Joseph Paul de Grasse, a lieutenant in the French Navy fought a parallel foe to the Americans – the English – off the West Indies. At the same time the Siege of Yorktown was taking place, he was promoted to admiral and took the small Island of...
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...Fort Mchenry The Battle of Fort McHenry was fought September 13/14, 1814. It was fought by Major-General Samuel Smith ,Major George Armistead,1,000 men (American) and Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, Colonel Arthur Brooke, 5,000 men. With their successful campaign against Washington DC, British forces advanced up the Chesapeake Bay to attack Baltimore. British believed that Baltimore to be the base of many of the American privateers that were preying on their shipping. Ross and Cochrane planned a two attack with the landing at North Point and advancing overland, while the latter attacked and the harbor defenses by water. Battle of Fort McHenry - Fighting at North Point: On September 12, 1814, Ross landed with 4,500 men on North Point and began going northwest towards Baltimore. His men soon encountered American forces under Brigadier General John Stricker. He was dispatched by Major General Samuel Smith, Stricker was under orders to delay the British while the protection around the city were completed. In the end, Ross was killed and his command took heavy losses. With Ross' death, command devolved to Colonel Arthur Brooke who elected to remain on the field through a rainy night. Battle of Fort McHenry - The American Defenses: While Brooke's men suffered in the rain, Cochrane began moving his fleet up the Patapsco River toward the city's harbor defenses. Situated on Locust Point, the fort guarded the approaches to the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco which led to the city...
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...During 1777 in Boston i would have been on the Patroit side because they know they was going to win this fight and wanted to win the war. During all this time leading up to the war Burgoyne’s plan revolved around an invasion of 8,000 British troops from Canada, who would move southward through New York by way of Lake Champlain and the Mohawk River, taking the Americans by surprise. General Burgoyne believed he and his troops could then take control of the Hudson River and isolate New England from the other colonies, freeing British General William Howe to attack Philadelphia. Burgoyne`s know that he could win this war becaus he was taken ideas away from the other teams. The plan he made went in effect in the summer of 1777 and was an amzing success. The British was able to captured Fort Ticonderoga on June 2, 1777. However, the early success failed to lead to victory, as Burgoyne overextended his supply chain, which stretched in a long, narrow strip from the northern tip of Lake Champlain south to the northern curve of the Hudson River at Fort Edward, New York. As Burgoyne’s army marched south, Patriot militia circled north, cutting the British supply line. Burgoyne then suffered defeat in Bennington, Vermont, and bloody draws at Bemis Heights, New York. On October 17, 1777, a frustrated Burgoyne retreated 10 miles and surrendered his remaining 6,000 British forces to the Patriots at Saratoga. Upon hearing of the Patriot victory, France agreed to recognize the independence...
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...Originally, General Charles Cornwallis was a General for Germany during the Seven Year's War. Although George Washington beat him in a plethora of battles during the American Revolution, he stood his ground and defeated him many times also. Henry Clinton saw hope in General Cornwallis and made him second-in-command for the British troops. He played an important if not the most important role in the American Revolution. If he was not on the British side, the Revolution would end extremely quickly. When he knew he couldn't win the Revolution, he told his subordinate to tell the American troops that they would surrender at Yorktown, due to him being extremely ill. They surrendered at Yorktown in October 17th, 1781. He died later to the fever...
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