By: David McCullough - Stratford Academy
By: David McCullough - Stratford Academy
By: David McCullough - Stratford Academy
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1776<br />
<strong>By</strong>: <strong>David</strong> <strong>McCullough</strong><br />
The book that you are about to read is about the birth of our country from a<br />
military perspective (make sure you thoroughly read it and expect a test when<br />
you return to school). As you read it, I want you to keep one question in mind.<br />
How was a rag tag militia able to defeat and repel the mightiest military of its day<br />
The book is divided into three parts and as its title implies, solely takes place<br />
during the year 1776. “Part I: The Siege” opens with a glance at the rebellion in<br />
America from a British perspective. It then jumps right into the war, beginning<br />
with Washington and the Continental Army’s siege of Boston. “Part II: Fateful<br />
Summer” covers the march from Boston to New York City, where the Continental<br />
Army attempts to save the city from a second British attack. “Part III: The Long<br />
Retreat” portrays the frustrations and doubts that plague the American forces after<br />
New York, and then ends with the victories at Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey.<br />
Now, back to the original question: according to the battles portrayed in 1776, how<br />
in the world was a small American rag tag army able to defeat the mighty British<br />
Empire You will want to make a list of your reasons as you read the book.<br />
*This is an independent assignment. Therefore, any group work or sharing of<br />
thoughts will be considered a violation of the <strong>Stratford</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> honor code!
Now, before you begin reading, I want you to do a bit of research<br />
that will help you better understand the events of 1776. The<br />
answers to all identification and questions must be typed!! Complete<br />
the following assignments below.<br />
1. Identify the following people, events, and key terms. All answers should be at<br />
least five or six sentences long. List your sources in MLA format after each<br />
explanation.<br />
1. The British Empire:<br />
2. King George III:<br />
3. The Townsend Acts:<br />
4. “The Boston Massacre:”
5. Sons of Liberty<br />
6. Tory:<br />
7. The Boston Tea Party:<br />
8. Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts):<br />
9. The First Continental Congress:
10. The Battles of Lexington and Concord:<br />
11. The Second Continental Congress:<br />
12. Lord North:<br />
13. Edmond Burke:<br />
14. General Howe:
15. George Washington:
After reading 1776, answer each question below as thoroughly as you can. The<br />
grade you will earn is based on your answers as a whole. They should be typed<br />
and conform to standard rules of grammar and syntax (write in complete<br />
sentences). Remember, this will be your first grade in U.S. history, so make<br />
sure you provide thorough and detailed answers!<br />
1. Describe the Continental Army. What sort of army was Washington in command of in<br />
1776 At its peak, what was the highest number of soldiers in the Continental Army<br />
What was the age range of the American soldiers What did many of them do before<br />
joining the army How well equipped were they How well armed were they What<br />
was missing in the American military that put them at a huge disadvantage You must<br />
provide examples and page numbers when answering the above question.
2. Describe the British military. How were the British soldiers different from the enemy<br />
they faced in America At its peak, what was the highest number of British soldiers<br />
serving in the American colonies What did the British military possess that American<br />
forces completely lacked How did this additional military component provide the<br />
British with a huge advantage over the Continental Army What are some factors that<br />
put the British military at a disadvantage You must provide examples and page<br />
numbers when answering the above question.
3. Compare and contrast the battles that occurred at Boston and New York City. How were<br />
they similar How were they different Be thorough in your explanation. Provide<br />
examples and page numbers when answering the above question.
4. Why can the American Revolution also be considered America’s first civil war What<br />
problems did this create for the British military What problems did this create for the<br />
Continental Army Provide examples and page numbers when answering the above<br />
question.
5. Using examples from the book (include page numbers) and any other information that<br />
you uncovered in your research, explain how it is that a smaller, largely untrained<br />
American militia defeated the mighty British military, which many considered the best<br />
and most powerful of its day.