What questions does the historian ask in this excerpt? David McCullough addressed the theme of the harsh situation of the War of 1776 leading by George Washington and the inspiring fighting in the winter. The chapters in the book were set by chronological order of the war, from the retreating of the Continental Army to the climax and turning point. The historian asked the following questions to make sure the readers understand the book: Who was Nathanael Greene and what was his personalities? And how did he serve in the Continental Army and the War of Independence that was so significant? What were the circumstances of the regulars during the war? Were the British circumstances better than the regulars? In what ways? Was George Washington an …show more content…
effective and beloved leader in the Continental Army? And what was his characteristics? How did the Americans turned the condition of war at the end of the year 1776? What was the cause of it? What was the result or condition of the war in the end of 1776 and was it predicted by others? How does he find the answer?
McCullough frequently used two primary sources: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series and The Papers of General Nathanael Greene. These two sources both were diaries and paper written by the figures, that McCullough could used those to help him archive the detailed description the war. The use of different people’s personal account made it possible to show the bigger picture of the war with different perspectives. The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, as the most referenced source, included papers from the Revolutionary War to show the characteristics and mental activities of George Washington, who was the most important figure at that time. The papers were from June 1775 to December 1783 that described the first person view of the war. McCullough had depended on it so much was because the first person account made the book more reliable and draw the readers into the story to understand the history more. How does this work compare to your …show more content…
textbook? The textbook summarized the War of Independence in several pages, while this book provided more details about the war, such as the harsh weather and poor circumstances caused the campaign more difficult. This book revealed that at the rough time of the war, it was the consistent spirit of George Washington that united his soldiers and led them won the war. One of the conflict between the textbook and this book was that the textbook stated people trusted George Washington; however, the truth was that when Washington sent out orders, his generals doubted his strategy and later even betrayed him. Secondly, at the Battle of Trenton, the Hessians were surprised by the attack of Washington’s army at night; however, in 1776, the Hessians were on guard and even waited for the Americans to come closer to fire. The conflicts showed that history could be easily misinterpret by historians, so the need of specific details was important to either read or write history. Does the author use noticeable framing? The author did use noticeable framing in this book.
This book recounted the war in 1776 in chronological order by individuals’ experiences, and specified the characteristics and lives of important figures. In each chapter, the main event was explained with detailed informations, including personal narratives, which displayed the authentic history. The book was written about the war happened in 1776, so McCullough mainly focused on what happened to Americans during the war, and he only mentioned few stories about the British; moreover, this war was not as much important to the British than to the Americans. The goal of McCollough was to reveal the authentic history and raise the awareness of the war to the readers because this war was so significant to
Americans. 5 C’s Context In the beginning of chapter seven, the author provided the context of the retreat of George Washington and his army, which was at most 3,000 men. He revealed that they were moving across the Passaic River in New Jersey, beginning in the morning of November 21. The circumstance was harsh with the sloppy road left by heavy rains, especially for the men without shoes. However, the firm countenance of Washington had never changed no matter how rough was the situation. McCullough provided this important background information, including the time and location of retreat of the Americans to the readers to make sure they understand the condition of the war, in order to comprehend the Americans’ campaign better. Causality “Considering all he had accomplished in the year’s campaigns and knowing the helpless state of the rebel army. Howe saw no cause to continue the fight or to remain a day longer than necessary in a punishing American winter in a place like Trenton” (267). Since the weather had been harsher and colder, Howe had to made up his mind to whether continue to fight or let the Americans go. The author considered the weather and the situations between the British and the Continental Army to be the causality of Howe’s plan to retire to New York; furthermore, this had caused the Americans won the Battle of Trenton since the British were absent at that time. Change over time The number of soldiers under George Washington changed dramatically with their spirit affected by the war. In July, 1776, there were about 16,000 men in the Continental Army under George Washington; however, after they split up into three groups, there were only about 3,500 under his personal command, and 2,000 men did not sign on the army after a December 1. The spirit of the troop was frustrated, hundreds of the men had deserted, and many of the remainders were sick and miserable. Following the victory at Trenton, the troops were inspired with confidence; thus, this change as a turning point made the situation side more optimistic in the war. Complexity Epistemological complexity involved in this book when the reason for Nathanael Greene became the commander for the Rhode Island regiments was unclear. “Almost overnight he was given full command of the Rhode Island regiments. Exactly how this came about remains unclear” (23). The difficulty to answer the question and the lack of evidence made the affair being epistemological complexity for the author. Because of the limit information to explain why this had happened, McCullough decided to speculate that it was the relationship between Nathanael and Samuel Ward of Rhode Island, uncle of Nathanael’s wife and delegate of the Congress, influenced Nathanael to had the high rank of leadership since he “could only have favored him strongly among his fellow volunteers” (23). Contingency When a letter from General Lee, who had not keep contact with George Washington or achieved his mission, to Joseph Reed arrived by an express rider. As the unforeseen cause, the absence of Reed provided Washington a chance to open it for curiosity. Unexpectedly, Washington realized that the reason Lee had not started his marching and Reed had wrote a flattering to Lee. Although being hurt and angry by the letter that showed both of them had lost faith in him, he still wished Reed to success in his mission. Because Washington had seen the letter, he knew his disadvantages that he needed to improve as an effective leader, and he was able to resolve conflict between him and Reed. If Reed was present when the letter arrived so that Washington would not have seen the letter, the history of America would be totally different; Washington might had waited for both Lee and Reed to complete their marchings and then realized they had already betrayed him. In this case, the victory of the Revolutionary war would probably not claimed by the Americans.
...s, an artisan and whose practical skill at achieving things done most resembles other American heroes. Fisher explained the courageous journey Paul Revere went through along with representing all that was best in the American character and Lieutenant-General Thomas Gage. Although viewing himself as a liberal and reasonable man who had originally liked Americans and was ended up married to one, Gage had come to hate the Bostonians among whomever else he found himself with during his role as military commander. The action of the book was presented in fifteen chapters (as well as an introduction, aftermath, and epilogue) with the famous alarm itself as midpoint. Paul Revere’s Ride did a great job sketching itself in every detail to explain both Gages, and Revere’s journeys.
Born in western Massachusetts in 1760, Joseph Plumb Martin was the son of a pastor; at the age of seven, he began living with his affluent grandfather. Almost as soon as the Revolutionary War broke out in the spring of 1775, young Joseph was eager to lend his efforts to the patriotic cause. In June 1776, at the tender age of 15, Martin enlisted for a six-month stint in the Connecticut state militia. By the end of the year, Martin had served at the Battles of Brooklyn, Kip’s Bay and White Plains in New York. Though Martin declined to reenlist when his six-month stint ended in December 1776, he later changed his mind, and on April 12, 1777 he enlisted in the 8th Connecticut division of General George Washington’s Continental Army, led by Colonel John Chandler. He would serve for the duration of the war (until 1783).
Howard goes on to share that the story needs to be told from the standpoint of people from the war that’s not told in schoolbooks, “But to tell the story of the American Revolution, not from the standpoint of the schoolbooks, but from the standpoint of war as a complex
The article “Why Men Fought in the American Revolution” delves into the reasons why men chose to stay and fight in the American Revolution. The author, Robert Middlekauff, gives his rationale on why he believes men risked their lives in the battles against the British. While Middlekauf explains reasons men had for risking their lives fighting, he is swift to dismiss motivations these American men did not have to fight. Not only does Middlekauff discuss motivations of men, he also draws contrast between the American and British armies; more specifically, differences between the armies’ officers and soldiers.
The compelling and infectious novel of Founding Brothers; The Revolutionary Generation written by Joseph J. Ellis combines our founding fathers weakness’ and strongest abilities in just six chapters. His six chapters tell the stories of: The duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. This entertaining chapter describes how duels were undertaken and played out in that time, and helps the reader understand both men's motives. The dinner which Thomas Jefferson held for Alexander Hamilton and James
David McCullough author of 1776 puts faces and feelings to the events of the Revolutionary war making this an exciting novel even when the ending is known. Acting as a companion to an earlier work of McCullough’s, John Adams, 1776 is a strictly military view of the era versus political. Although the reader may have to get accustomed to the vast amount of characters introduced McCullough makes sure that those you are supposed to remember you will. Every character introduced is described incredibly well and throughout the novel you begin to feel as if you know the character and are going through the battle with them, specifically General George Washington with whom the reader emphasizes constantly with throughout the war. With the great description of the characters and events we feel as if we are there and in doing this the author creates understanding, the reader by knowing all sides and characters’ personalities the feels they know why the Revolution happened the way it did.
Alan Taylor is trying to prove that the story of America does not begin with the American Revolution. When, humans first encountered America between 12, 000- 15,000 years is where the story of American first starts. Alan Taylor's thesis is true because, prior to the American Revolution the Siberians arrived in America and settled from the tip of South America to as high as Alaska. Later European empires invaded and conquered several regions of America. Alan Taylor proves that the settlement of America does not begin in the 1492 but rather about 12,000 to 15,000 years earlier. The early Americans migrated from North Eastern Asia and entered in small boats along the coast. Some other hypothesis is that the earliest humans walked along a land
When one explains his or her ingenious yet, enterprising interpretation, one views the nature of history from a single standpoint: motivation. In The American Revolution: A History, Gordon Wood, the author, explains the complexities and motivations of the people who partook in the American Revolution, and he shows the significance of numerous themes, that emerge during the American Revolution, such as democracy, discontent, tyranny, and independence. Wood’s interpretation, throughout his literary work, shows that the true nature of the American Revolution leads to the development of United State’s current government: a federal republic. Wood, the author, views the treatment of the American Revolution in the early twentieth century as scholastic yet, innovative and views the American Revolution’s true nature as
Revolutionary War: The Battles of Lexington and Concord The battles of Lexington and Concord were neccessary battles to the American Revolutionary War because they started the very thing that made our country free. Many people have always wondered how the historic American Revolutionary War got started. Sure, they have heard the stories of Paul Revere and the Midnight Ride: There was even a poem written about his ride, but Paul Revere didn’t start the war.
The Continental Army changed greatly from its start to the end of the Revolutionary War. It began as loosely-united group of militiamen and evolved into a true military force, now credited with taking down the world’s premiere war machine of the late 1700s. The character of Evan Crutch in George Washington served his purpose to show the development of the Army. He as a soldier retained respect and loyalty to General Washington and for his nation, and by doing this he greatly encouraged those around him to do the same. Evan Crutch exemplified the true drive, courage, and passion the Army had developed by the end of the American Revolution, as well as the strong and honest relationship between General George Washington and his Continental Army.
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.
Throughout the book, Gary B. Nash narrates the war in chronological order to recount the war as it happened and emphasize the events that allowed for people of different class, gender, and/or race to stand up and call for American Independence or to turn on their country and join the British forces. In short, Nash emphasizes that the revolution was a “people’s revolution” [Page XV] and as such divided each chapter with
He led the British in the battle of Bunker Hill. He led them down the hill about 3 times for retreat. But finally when the colonists ran out of ammo, they charged up the hill
In Joseph Plumb Martin’s account of his experiences in the Revolutionary War he offers unique insight into the perspective of a regular soldier, which differs from the views of generals and leaders such as popular characters like George Washington. Martin’s narrative is an asset to historical scholarship as a primary source that gives an in-depth look at how life in the army was for many young men during the War for Independence. He described the tremendous suffering he experienced like starvation and privation. He did not shy away from describing his criticism of the government who he believes did not adequately care for the soldiers during and after the war. While he may be biased because of his personal involvement as a soldier, he seems to relate accounts that are plausible without embellishment or self-aggrandizement. Overall, “A Narrative of A Revolutionary Soldier” is a rich source of information providing an overview of military experience during the war.
Irving Washington wrote the text looking back two centuries. Apart from being a satire it deconstructs the concept of history by devaluation of the conflict via removal of one of its constituents or dehumanization of it which is one of the main implied themes of the story.