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The thesis of 1776 by David McCullough
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Recommended: The thesis of 1776 by David McCullough
George Washington was our nation’s first president and a well respected leader, but what gave him this reputation? In David McCullough’s 1776, Washington’s leadership skills that brought the colonies to victory can be easily seen. As British and American politicians struggled to reach a compromise, events on the ground escalated until war was inevitable. McCullough recreates scenes of heroic battles as well as dramatic encounters between diplomats with outstanding details in his writing.
1776 was a good year for a revolution. George Washington had taken command of the U.S. forces in 1775, with an army of old men and young boys that seemed to be bleak and unpromising. Facing harsh conditions and disease- ridden camps, winning a war against the all powerful British was an uphill battle. What Washington probably didn’t expect that the worst of his problems would come from his own army, a group of untrained, undisciplined men that would tamper with his great patience. Through it all he would stay one step ahead of the enemy.
In the summer of 1775, The Americans prepared to attack the ...
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
McCullough describes washington as a leader of many qualities in which makes him successful. After making the British evacuate from Boston, washington is praised for being such a courageous and smart leader, therefore lifting morale around American troops. The war most likely would not have been won without George Washington's help most likely due to his incredible leadership skills. The colonies are virtually nothing without George Washington because he keeps them together by asking congress to support them and as McCullough describes, is relentless about doing so as we're Knox and Greene later on. George Washington was so important that even the loyalists plotted to assassinate him with hopes to derail the American rebellion. However, the colonies success wasn't just off George washington. Mccullough describes the average british soldier as strong and more fit compared to the colonial soldier, superior and overall well trained.The fact that the colonies were untrained made the British cocky, Making them think they didn't have to use their superior weaponry thinking the Americans would surrender out of free will. McCullough gives us an insight to how the Americans tried new things using their resources making great things with what little they
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.
Even though John Adams (1735-1826) and John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) were father and son, also they were our President in the United States but they are not the same. The differences are their early lives, the early political career, and major presidential actions.
Washington's dedication to the cause of the American Revolution inspired and impressed everyone. He was a great general, and astute politician, and a symbol of the cause for independence. He was a master in the art of war. Bibliography:.. Bibliography Handel, Michael I. Masters of War.
During the War for American Independence, 78 men were commissioned as general officers into the Continental Army by the Continental Congress. Many of these generals commanded troops with differing levels of competence and success. George Washington is typically seen as most important general, however throughout the war a number of his subordinates were able to distinguish themselves amongst their peers. One such general was Nathanael Greene. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Greene would become Washington’s most important subordinate, as demonstrated by Edward Lengel’s assessment of Greene as “the youngest and most capable of Washington’s generals.” Washington and Greene developed a strong, positive and close relationship between themselves. Greene began his life in the military after having been raised a Quaker. With limited access to literature and knowledge in his younger years, Greene became an avid reader which equipped him with the knowledge necessary to excel as a general during the war. Through his devoted study of military operations, firsthand experience and natural abilities as a soldier, Greene became an excellent military commander. He would become known for his successful southern campaign, during which, he loosened British control of the South and helped lead the war to its climax at Yorktown. Throughout the war, he was involved in a number high profile battles where he built a reputation of being an elite strategist who also understood unconventional warfare, logistics, and the importance of military-civil affairs and had a natural political/social acumen. The thesis of this paper is that Greene’s proven reputation of being a soldier, strategist and statesman would cause him to become the second greates...
...ct most of his military blunders came in the year 1776. But he always learned from his mistakes. McCullough also examines the mistakes the British made, that may have cost them the victory in the war. 1776 is truly eye opening. It takes a more human look at men like Washington and his generals, and is full of letters and stories written by actual soldiers from both the British and American armies. One of the things that I enjoyed about this book was the way McCullough manages to also show the way the British felt towards the Americans and their opinions and thoughts about the rebels. The book ended on a high note, with Washington's historic crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night. It was the turning point of the war for the future president and his army, and it provided the first great victory for the young American county. The rest, as they say, is history.
At the start of the war, the Continental Army lacked training and organization. While the scattered guerilla tactics seemed to waste time and resources, they helped Americans stay alive. In addition, the colonists had the advantage of perseverance; they had to fight for their freedom as a nation. Another facet that helped survival was the leadership of George Washington. His knowledge and expertise was critical in making sure his soldiers stayed alive; having the home field advantage boosted his effectiveness as well. All of these assets culminated into a powerful force against the British
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were two important men who affected our nations independence and the beginning years of our country. They helped form this nation into a free and sovereign country. Yet, they were different in many aspects they shared a few common features. Both Washington and Jefferson grew up in the southern state of Virginia and like most owned land to grow and harvest crops. In growing up they came from two different class levels of living. The Jefferson family was more famous and richer than Washington’s giving him a greater advantage and opportunity to succeed, especially in higher education. After Jefferson finished regular schooling he was able to attend the College of William and Mary were he studied law. He did so under the teaching of George Wthe who was considered perhaps the greatest teachers of law in Virginia at the time. Washington however was taught by his mom mainly in mathematics and received no higher education. Washington was still knowledgeable and began to put it to use in the army to become as a young British soldier. He interred the army at the young age of nineteen were he began to learn leadership and military strategy which would prove useful in the Revolutionary War to come. Jefferson on the other hand was involved in the laws, courts, and small politics. At the young age of twenty-five Jefferson was elected to the House of Burgesses in Virginia were he served for five years. Washington was known for his great motivational speeches that would rally troops together to prepare for war and lead on to victory. Jefferson was more of a writer not a speaker and by using his skill he wrote and brought forth fresh ideas of independence and freedom.
As many scholars before him and many after him, Woodrow Wilson was a reformist, in that, he endeavored to change the way the government operated (Buck, Cox, Morgan, p. 5). He demanded the efficient operation of the government. He was actually one of the first politicians who specifically asked for efficiency. It was during the Progressive Era, a time of major change. Developments in trade and working conflicts were on the rise as well as the demand for services provided by government. All of this change happening so quickly also jumpstarted an increase in corruption and a continuing loss of values among the people. The spoils system, introduced by President Andrew Jackson, was prevalent. Per the spoils system, party loyalists were given administrative jobs regardless of qualifications or training. This combination of things prompted Wilson to question the development of the government in terms of handling these changes so as to maximize efficiency and utilization of resources. He analyzed the then current power regime, found them lacking in skill and corruptible, and offered suggestions to better the system and prevent future corruption. In response to the spoils system, Wilson demanded that there be a separation of politics and administration which he hoped would liken the government to corporations. With ‘The Study of Administration’ (1887), Wilson supplied the first published essay on public administration and established himself as a foremost authority in this field. In this essay, Wilson publicly launched the idea of government as administration.
The job of the President of the United States of America is one the most stressful in the world. This is evidenced by the rapid aging of the men who enter the office. Along with living up to the reputation of the president and having to follow up some of the greatest leaders of all time, the president is faced with media that hounds his every move and a nation with the right to express their displeasure anytime they so choose. Our first president, George Washington faced the same issues way back in 1789. Washington serves as a model for future presidents as he was the mold off of which the position was formed. Washington was humble, honest, and brave; all of which, voters look for in today’s presidents.
In 1796, after two terms as the first president of the United States, George Washington addressed the American people for the last time. Washington had led the new nation through the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States as a country. He was beloved among the American people, the majority of which wanted him to run for another term as president. Washington, though, craved a simple life in retirement and wished to be out of the public eye. Before he retired, he wrote one last letter to the citizens of the United States. This letter, originally titled “The Address of General Washington To The People of The United States on his declining of the Presidency of the United States” but later renamed “Washington’s Farewell
John Adams, the first vice president of the United States, an American Founding Father, and a well-educated Republican, is most commonly known for being the second president of the United States. As a lifelong opponent of slavery, Adams never bought a slave in his life. He assisted Thomas Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence and helped negotiate the peace treaty with Great Britain. Adams won the Presidential Election in 1796 with only three votes more than Thomas Jefferson. However, John Adams' life wasn't all about the presidency.
The people were roaring with cheer as we marched through the city of Philadelphia. The people were cheering because we had driven the British red coats out of Philadelphia and they had fled to Yorktown, Virginia. I was wearing a blue coat with white straps crossing over my chest. We were marching in rows of four through the middle of the street. If you haven’t guessed it yet we are the soldiers who fight under the stars and stripes.We called ourselves patriots or the continental army.
James Madison was born on March 16 in 1751 he grew up with a large family in Orange County, Virginia. When he was younger he was very sick but he still wanted to learn. He risked his health and his life just to learn more. At age 18 he went to the College of New Jersey which is now called Princeton University. He later became the 4th president and in Philadelphia May of 1787 he and delegates from every other state came together to write the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He was a very small man he was very short at only 5’4’’, he was only 100 pounds and was very skinny he also had blue eyes. Some people think that he didn't do the right thing and that he didn't help our country but I think he did very well. He helped write the Constitution