Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
American revolution struggles
Revolutionary war struggles
The revolutionary war for essay
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: American revolution struggles
In a time of change and rebellion from the Queens ruling, a small and relatively undeveloped country fought to achieve her independence. A smaller, less equipped force, the Continental Army began its conquest to relieve its people once and for all of tyranny and allow it to be ruled under new found principles and foundations in what was named the Revolutionary war. The Revolutionary war in many ways marked the beginning of this conquest, an overall fight for freedom and justice. While the much better equipped English Army sat in idle comfort a band of Continental volunteers survived a grueling winter under the command of General George Washington and under the strict drills of Baron Von Steuben proved to create a hardened more resolved fighting force than Britain ever imagined. The events that took place at Valley Forge and the individuals that survived the grueling winter of 1777-1778 successfully completed the transition from civilian to soldier, educated to leader, and created a combat ready force that set forth on a victorious campaign against the British forces.
The time was December of 1777 and General George Washington’s 12,000 man army had just met defeat in the city of Philadelphia to the hands of British General Howe. To the credit of the Continental army Howe’s execution of his battle plan has been referred to as perfect textbook tactics and there was not much that the relatively untrained Continentals could do to defend against it. The men had made approximately a 20 mile tactical march from Philadelphia to the open grounds of Valley Forge. The area was chosen for its clear ability to observe British movement and battle formations as well as the ability to create a network of defensive and retreat positions. ...
... middle of paper ...
... "Myth and Truth at Valley Forge." American History 40, no. 5: 42-73. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed April 23, 2010).
Freedman, Russell. 2008. Washington at Valley Forge. New York: Holiday House.
Historic Valley Forge. http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge (accessed April 21,2010)
Lengel, Edward. General George Washington: A Military Life. Westminster: Random House, 2005. http://site.ebrary.com/lib/apus/Doc?id=10081799&ppg=342 (accessed May 18, 2010)
Shy, John. "The Road to Valley Forge: How Washington Built the Army That Won the Revolution”. The Journal of Military History. 69, no. 2 (April 1, 2005): 549-551. http://www.proquest.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/ (accessed May 15, 2010).
Zellers-Frederick, A. "Valley Forge, Pennsylvania." Military History, May 1, 2010, 76-77,5. http://www.proquest.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/ (accessed April 23, 2010).
1776 by David McCullough is a non-fiction historical book that historically accounts an in depth view of The American Revolution. The book starts from late 1775 and spans to the end of 1776. The book includes the Battle of New York, the Battle of Brooklyn, the Battle of Boston, the Battle of Fort Washington, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the ending Battle of Trenton in 1776. David McCullough adds a sense of emotion and color to this book where it 's more than a history book that lists facts. Not only does he add a sense of enjoyment to read, 1776 provides detailed accounts of the military life during the end of 1775 to the end of 1776 and detailed accounts of the battles. The author, David McCullough, is trying to make a point that 1776 is
While many variables are vital to a successful army on the battlefield, none should be neglected. Each variable discussed in this examination will prove to be important, but the information battle will be paramount in the battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg After the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville in May of 1863, General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia embarked on their 2nd invasion of the north. General Lee’s first campaign into the north resulted in the Confederate defeat at Antietam. The failure of Lee’s first northern campaign raises the question of his motives.
Stewart R. W. (2005). American Military History (Vol. 1). The United States Army and the
The Road to Valley Forge The book that I chose to review was The Road to Valley Forge, How Washington Built the Army that Won the Revolutionary War, written by John Buchanan. This is a book that covers the beginning of the revolutionary war in America from the time that George Washington was selected as commander-in-chief of the army, until his army entered winter quarters at Valley Forge. It encompasses the weather conditions that Washington and his army had to endure, as well as the scrutiny that Washington always seemed to be under. The scrutiny came from people in Congress who believed that the war was going to be quick and wanted a large, decisive battle fought. George Washington took control of the revolutionary army on 2 July 1775.
In 1776, David McCullough gives a vivid portrayal of the Continental Army from October 1775 through January 1777, with sharp focus on the leadership of America’s greatest hero, George Washington. McCullough’s thesis is that had not the right man (George Washington) been leading the Continental Army in 1776, the American Revolution would have resulted in a vastly different outcome. He supports his argument with a critical analysis of Washington’s leadership during the period from the Siege of Boston, through the disastrous defense of New York City, the desperate yet, well ordered retreat through New Jersey against overwhelming odds, and concludes with the inspiring victories of Trenton and Princeton. By keeping his army intact and persevering through 1776, Washington demonstrated to the British Army that the Continental Army was not simply a gang of rabble, but a viable fighting force. Additionally, Mr. McCullough supports his premise that the key to the survival of the American Revolution was not in the defense of Boston, New York City, or any other vital terrain, but rather the survival of the Continental Army itself. A masterful piece of history, 1776 is not a dry retelling of the Revolutionary War, but a compelling character study of George Washington, as well as his key lieutenants, and his British adversaries, the most powerful Army in the 18th Century world. When I read this book, I went from a casual understanding of the hero George Washington to a more specific understanding of why Washington was quite literally the exact right man at the exact right place and time to enable the birth of the United States.
“Although Howe might logically be expected to resume his overland offensive through the Jerseys, he had already decided to move against Philadelphia by water; Washington had no way of knowing what Howe’s objective would be, but he did have reason to believe that the British would move by water. These points are mentioned because many accounts of the maneuvers about to be discussed are written from the viewpoint that Washington expected Howe to march toward Philadelphia in a continuation of his 1776 campaign (chesco.org).”
It was a good year for a revolution, 1776. But it didn't start off quite as well as the colonists would have liked. When George Washington agreed to take command of the American forces in 1775, he probably didn't realize what he was truly getting himself into. Washington took command of an army made up of old men and young boys that had either come from their farms or the street. The army was short on weapons and gunpowder, lacked uniforms, and was racked by disease and drunkenness. Washington understood that what lies ahead would be difficult, considering he would be facing the most powerful country in world. But he probably didn't expect his worst problems to come from his own army, which was an undisciplined and untrained group that would eventually tamper with his great patience. Through it all he would stay determined and always try to stay one step ahead of the enemy.
A Southern refugee once reflected, and referred to the Army of the Potomac as the “greatest army in the planet.” Although this is a clear exaggeration, from a Southern perspective following the Battle of Antietam, this was not too far off. Relative to the Army of Northern Virginia, the Federal army was vastly larger, in better spirits, and strategically in better positions. To direct this army of great potential, President Lincoln appointed the reluctant Major General Ambrose Everett Burnside. Almost immediately after receiving command, Burnside adopted a plan; the objective was Richmond.
...in which all of the tales and happenings are true. Having visited Mount Vernon for instance, Borneman’s portrayal and detailed information about George Washington brings so much more to the man and the character. Walter Borneman consistently connected the dots in describing what individuals did and what important things they had yet to do. With no real complaints and only a thirst for more, the author has scored big with this book and exampled narrative history at its finest! In the end, what is most important is the knowledge one can gain from such a vivid and living portrayal of the Seven Years War.
Following the events in Massachusetts at Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775, state militiamen from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont gathered in Cambridge and the area surrounding Boston. British General Gage and 6,500 soldiers and marines were in possession of Boston proper, while the American force consisted of over 16,000 men. Sickness and missing brought the number of available soldiers closer to 9,000. In addition the American force was extremely short of gunpowder, having only some 30 or so half barrels of powder beyond that carried in the horns of the citizen soldiers.
Despite the low expectations for the American colonies, they amazed the world as they rose to the occasion by taking advantage of their military assets, even those they did not know they had. For instance, George Washington proved to be a valuable asset for the American colonies. Washington was already held in high esteem prior to the Revolution for his few, but impactful, military accomplishments prior to the Revolution and for his praise-worthy character. (Schweikart and Allen 74) Because of his lack of experience commanding, he learned to excel in familiarizing himself with new tactics and responsibilities very quickly. (Mount Vernon) He used strategy to make up for what he lacked in supplies or force. In 1776, he valiantly crossed the Delaware river for a successful surprise attack on Trenton and days later successfully took Princeton, two undertakings which contributed significantly to the American victory along with Washington defeating Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1...
The soldiers settled for winter in Valley Forge in Philadelphia, the perfect spot to keep an eye on the British and close to Quakers for food. They were ready to face the winter. After the winter started to come to an end, most of the army survived. “ On April 13, 1778, word reached camp that the French would join the Americans in the war. It was a huge turning point.”
...e gun, it seemed, the greater the owner‘s pride in it.” (McCullough 33) The Continental army certainly did not look like an army yet these people were brought together in this fight for freedom and prevailed even winning the support of Americans who had no hope the British would be defeated.” Merchant Erving had sided with the Loyalists primarily because he thought the rebellion would fail. But the success of Washington‘s army at Boston had changed his mind as it had for many” (McCullough 108). The reader must comprehend the power of this accomplishment for the rag-tag army. “Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning-how often circumstance, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made the difference- the outcome seemed little short of a miracle.” (McCullough 294).
The Revolutionary War was a war between the Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain from 1775-1783 during the American Revolution. The American colonists fought the British in hope of freedom and separation from Great Britain. “This was the completion stage of the political American Revolution whereas the colonists had denied the rights of the Parliament of Great Britain in governing them without any representation,” ("American Revolutionary War."). The Revolutionary War consisted of many different bloody battles on American soil. The war resulted in an American victory because of many historical reasons. The factors that contributed to an American victory of the Revolutionary War are British debt, distance between America and Great Britain, war tactics, French involvement, and important battles.
...he fact that they had no political power and were controlled by a country that was thousands of miles away from them. The American Revolution began as a conflict over political and social change, but soon developed into a dispute over personal rights and political liberty. A decade of conflicts between the British government and the Americans, starting with the Stamp Act in 1765 that eventually led to war in 1775, along with The Declaration of Independence in 1776. Americans united as one and knew that they wanted to be an independent country, have their own laws, rights, and not be colony of the Great Britain. They fought hard for their independence and people lost their lives in the process of it but in the end they succeeded. Never give up, keep fighting till the mission is accomplished just like the Americans did when they were fighting for their independence.