HIS-144-T-7.America at.War PDF

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HIS-144 T7: AMERICA AT WAR Name: Shayne Casini 1. What were the causes of the war? What attempts were made beforehand to prevent war? The Revolutionary War, a significant event in our country’s history, from which America gained its independence and became a free country. Tensions between the British and the colonists began to rise shortly after the French and Indian War. The Stamp Act was an attempt to tax the colonists “of all colonial commercial and legal papers, newspapers, pamphlets, cards, almanacs, and dice” (Britannica, 2021, para. 1) This infuriated the colonists, and riots arose. Eventually the Townshend Act made an effect with the attempt to impose new taxes on goods imported from Britain. Americans became angrier and boycotts were organized. The British then sent troops into Boston, aggravating the colonists even further, thus resulting in the Boston Massacre in March 1770. Another key event in this era was the Boston Tea Party in 1773. This came from the Tea Act that the British imposed which sparked anger among colonists, because it violated their right of being taxed by a government that was not their own. A radical group called the Sons of Liberty, “decided to confront the British head-on. Thinly disguised as Mohawks, they boarded three ships in Boston harbor and destroyed more than 92,000 pounds of British tea by dumping it into the harbor.” (Kiger, 2019, para. 11) The Coercive Acts in 1774, Lexington and Concord in 1775, and the British attacks on coastal towns between 1775 and 1776, were also major causes that led to the American Revolution. (Kiger, 2019)

2. Describe the general course of the war (major battles, leader decisions, significant events). What was the turning point for victory or defeat?

The first major battle of the Revolutionary War, Lexington and Concord, occurred between April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783. “The shot heard around the world” was a well-known saying that referred to beginning of the American Revolution. A key leader in the Revolutionary War was George Washington. He was commander-in-chief for the Continental army. In 1778-1778, Washington and his army had to camp at Valley Forge. Unfortunately, these cold months caused the soldiers to face hunger and diseases, along with the cold temperatures. Because France joined the colonist side, Washington was able to keep his army intact. Then on July 4, 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. (History, 2009) The Battle of Bunker Hill became one of the main battles of the Revolutionary War. This event ended in a withdrawal from the colonists because they ran out of ammunition. Regardless of the loss, this was an important battle because it weakened the British Army. Eventually the Battle of King’s Mountain was a huge victory for the United States after all the losses that occurred before then. New York was occupied by the British for the rest of the war after this battle. The Battle of Yorktown was the war's last major battle, and after the American and French armies' victories, Britain decided to negotiate with the Americans The Treaty of Paris, which was formed in 1783, led the Revolutionary War to officially end.

3. How does the home front respond to this war? Discuss some of the opportunities and challenges American society faced during the war.

During the Revolutionary War, the home front was difficult to describe since most states at the time were battlegrounds. Native Americans couldn't decide which side to fight on. Some tribes fought alongside British troops because they feared losing their land if the colonists were successful. Because of the war, some African Americans were able to escape their slave owners in the south. The British Patriots hoped that freeing their slaves would weaken the Continental Army, so they helped thousands of slaves escape and be freed. When the men went off to fight, the women had to take over the men's responsibilities. Since the majority of the Continental Army was drawn from lower-class communities, many women had nowhere to turn. There were a number of women who chose not to remain at home and wait for their relatives to return; instead, they went to army camps and performed typical female duties such as cooking, offering medical assistance, and washing their uniforms. “Like other nations born in anti-colonial revolutions, the United States faced the challenge of building a sound economy, preserving national independence, and creating a stable political system which provided a legitimate place for opposition.” (Digital History ID 2971, n.d., para. 1)

4. What were the outcomes of the war? Explain the significant changes or results that follow the war. In the Revolutionary War, America defeated Great Britain, gaining independence and becoming its own nation. The revolution brought significant changes to America, such as new politics as well as cultures, and the end of the mercantilist economy, which opened new trade and manufacturing opportunities for the nation. The United States was now free to pursue its own strategies. The states drafted new constitutions based on "common sovereignty," This means that the people have control and jurisdiction over the government. The political and social landscape of the nation changed drastically after independence. Citizens continued to participate in politics as more people gained the right to vote, boosting the government's value. The mercantile system was abolished after America gained independence, allowing the nation to expand westward, build its own factories, and expand its economy. Women, on the other hand, did not benefit from the rights that men received; in fact, they were oppressed even more. The word "Republican Mothers" was a term to describe the women who were stay at home moms. (Wallace, 2020) The Declaration of Independence was the key turning point of the identity of the United States. This paperwork is what established the ideas and goals for America and its future.

5. How does this war contribute to the creation of an American Identity?

After the Revolutionary War, which marked the beginning of America's Independence from British Rule, the country became its own nation, away from the leadership of Great Britain. America was finally able to have control over their economics and politics. Despite the fact that the country was its very own country after the war, there was still little unity. People were only loyal to their state governments since the central government was weak, showing that the central government had no power over state governments. Most countries across the world didn't acknowledge America, complicating America's effort to maintain its own identity. (Bettney, 2018) During this time, there were still many advancements towards America's identity during this time, such as women's participation in the boycott of British products and goods, and the government's use of terms like "we" in politics. Despite their pride in their war victory and independence, the country did not become a true nation until a more powerful central government was formed. The Revolutionary War resulted in the development of America's

identity, but it took a long time for them to transform into a very powerful government and a united country.

Reference(s) Bettney, V. (2018, March 26). The development of America: Identity and the language of revolution. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://theyorkhistorian.com/2018/03/27/thedevelopment-of-america-identity- and-the-language-of-revolution/ Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, February 12). Stamp Act. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Stamp-Act-Great-Britain-1765 Digital History ID 2971. (n.d.). Challenges Facing the Nation. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=2971 History.com Editors. (2009, October 29). Revolutionary war. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history Kiger, P. (2019, August 20). 7 events that ENRAGED colonists and led to the American Revolution. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from https://www.history.com/news/american-revolution-causes#section_4 Library of Congress. (n.d.). Revolutionary war: The home Front : The American REVOLUTION, 1763 - 1783 : U.S. history primary Source timeline : Classroom materials at the library of Congress : Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-sourcetimeline/american-revolution-1763-1783/revolutionary-war-home-front/ Wallace, W. M. (2020, August 27). American Revolution. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Revolution...