Revolutionary War Dbq

Great Britain engaged in several wars throughout history, but by the 1700s Great Britain was in jeopardy of maintaining such a strong union of military defense. The British had no outside allies; forces prepared to push the French out of the Mississippi Valley; therefore, British, its colonies, and Native Americans had to go to war against the French alone. On May 18, 1756 British declared war known today as the “French and Indian War. The war would cost the British tremendously debt. “The successful conclusion of the Seven Year War’ the French and Indian War in the British colonies left Great Britain with a huge debt.

More so, William Pitt, a minister of George’s cabinet, considered it necessary for Britain to obtain the debt acquired from

the war, but Great Britain had no desire to pay this debt off alone. The British was most interested in their political acts of trading and claiming land that would be profitable. Sadly, other measures was taken to force the colonies to pay off the debt for the British to the mother country. British taxed nearly everything possible and required the colonies to pay in support of their military defense. Fortunately, however, England surprisingly supported the British efforts to collect on the debt. England then sent troops to support the British against the French attack. “The Americans did nothing”. Outraged at the Americans, the British claimed the Americans showed a lack of gratitude by refusing to pay on the debt. According to textbook, American Past and Present, General James Wolfe notes “The Americans were dirty, cowardly dogs conceived, and contemptible” (105). Colonial American continued to follow the British, but would later separate and Americans learned that the Brotherhood envision between the Americans and the British was not so. Evidently so, the Americans support for Great Britain did exist at one point. Although uncertainty rose and the Americans mind grew clouded over a few things such as why Great Britain continuously engaged in war, why the British adopted specific tactics, and why the British ignored colonial interests.
Furthermore, British demand to collect taxes did not die down, they continued to seek ways to force the Americans to pay a debt that originated from the “Seven Year War. The Americans anger grew towards the British and their attempts to place unnecessary tax on the colonies. Colonist saw tax as no issue, it was to be expected, but the sole idea of the British proposing more taxes to pay off their debt was not. The concept of taxes had worked out very well for the Americans in the 1700s. Many enjoyed a high standard of life compared to those in the European colonies, and it was very important to maintain this position. The Americans had freedom, opportunity, and a self- government different from the European colonies that infested with poverty. Therefore, being swamped with taxes lessen the quality of life the Americans was used to.
In addition, later in the mid-1700s the Americans led into war by their own resistant to pay, found themselves fighting for independence.

Many Americans was reluctant to join in the war, but had little choice in the matter. Indeed, taxation of the colonies was one of the key factors as well as the inability to reach a diplomatic solution drove the colonist to violence, The Revolution. The resistant the Americans caused against paying taxes exposed their families to war against Great Britain. The American people clearly hesitant to go to war knew this was the only way to continue their freedom from unnecessary taxation. Wealthy Americans disliked the efforts made by Parliament that limits their rights in the British Empire. The Americans cherished freedom and desired nothing more than to be able to have a say in their role within the British Empire. The wealthy wanted nothing to do with an organized movement of the rebellion against Parliament. The people push of the rebellion identified wealthy colonist as equal supporter of the rebellion against taxation. The level of communication amongst the colonies was very effective, the word got around over time causing a turn in the nation’s destiny. The American knew something had to be done. “Who would dare stand up to Parliament?” The delegates must reach a decision. After several attempts of negotiation the delegates still would not be totally convinced of the true integrity their fellow delegates held. The opinion of the

respected leaders did matter, but nevertheless, disagreement arose.
However, the main objective was to get the British to repeal the Acts established which attempt was to force Americans into submission. A man by the name of Matthew Pattern got news, he recorded it in his journal. “The Patterns”, family of Matthew Pattern settled in Bedford in hopes to dwell, cultivate the land and perhaps do a little trading amongst others, felt compelled to sacrifice for nations’ liberty. Not all families from the colonies felt as compelled as the Patterns. Instead many felt it would be a whole lot easier just to pay the taxes to Great Britain, but never really acted on that thought or complied with paying taxes. Matthew’s family took up weapons and risked death to do so, the Pattern ignored the fact that they would battle against the British. What they did know their everyday life would change forever, no longer the life hoped for at Bedford. Although, this was not due to their own rebellion, but merely the right thing to do. John, the son of Matthew did not hesitate. He courageously supported the soldiers of Massachusetts by marching alongside neighbors. His acts of bravery received the supports not only of neighbors, but most importantly his family. John marched again with the Americans in British Canada. The very place John would lose his life. British government accustomed to quarry between the colonies, but none quite like this one, demanded obedience. Great Britain needed to establish order over the colonies. John Pattern militia acts of bravery and other like him provided the necessary defense that sustained the American resistance towards the British. Victory, it was for the Americans, but for the survivors of that battle “life would never be the same (108). In this time period more than half the population was under the age of 21 years old.

Question Two

The Americans faced several disadvantages in battle against the British. British is known to consist of the best troops in the world, the American troops did not share of those qualities. Americans troops’ had one important advantage over the British which was George Washington, his brilliant leadership and knowledge of guerrilla tactics. The Revolution would range over a huge area beginning in April 18, 1775 along the Gulf of Mexico, on the western frontier, in the colonies “the War for Independence would be fought. (127). Not really know to be factual, a colonist fired the first shot, as the British redcoats passed along the road to Concord. The Americans and British engages in battle at Concord. The British would take the hill during the battle of Bunker Hill. The American fight against the British redcoat begun, the battle was well on its way. Agitated, Parliament passed yet another Act, the Prohibitory Act, the Act declares war of the American commerce (124). The Americans could not let the British crush their resistance because it would result in the British victory. The Americans troops truly never doubted their ability to win against the British. Although, George Washington disapproved of this theatrical thought. The need for an army well trained in the fields is what’s required says General George Washington, “Independence “weighs more on training verse guerrilla ability. The Americans regards of General George Washington theory would face defeat yet again “this time in New York, Long Island. This resulted from inexperience troops sent to battle there. You could assume he could not risk losing his best troops so early on. George Washington army was in jeopardy of being overrun by General Howe, but instead of General Howe taking advantage of tremendous lost that the Americans suffered. He hesitated, the Americans was on the run, perhaps still fighting abroad causing General Howe rebels to surrender in fall of 1776.
Consequently, after battling for over a period of time, George Washington truly did not feel his army stood a chance to defeat the British.

The army lacked supplies, men was feeling hopeless, and many deserted the army after the completion of their short term enlistment. However, the brilliant leader, General George Washington in one more attempt for independence sent soldiers out to battle, these soldier surprise nine hundred sleeping Hessian mercenaries (128). The Americans would have the successful of surprising another group of British soldier “forcing the British to combine troops. The American would on losing several more battles after the few success gain “more loses than wins. Just when hope was of the essence, the battle at Germantown, the American troops stopped fighting outside of Philadelphia, where the life of twenty-five hundred American taken by camp disease. Congress and the American people grew discouraged with George Washington. Lest to their knowledge, George Washington risks his own life while leading troops into battle. The American would once again regain victory, the Americans defeated the British at Saratoga. The win at Saratoga brought on another British leader; General Henry Clinton replaced General Howe (130). The war would become bitter one for the British leader, General Henry Clinton grew concerned of his efforts to obtain

victory.
Unfortunately, in 1780 concerns diminish surprisingly to Congress, the British took Charles Town resulting in British control over the south. Congress repeatedly sent a new army out to conquer General Cornwallis army. With combined forces against General Cornwallis army, he was forced to surrender his entire army in defeat at Yorktown. The European support to the Americans brought the power they long for directly into the battle. European support would vary in both form and intensity. The French supported the Americans military with supplies and financial support. The French strong direct support of roaming the coastline leading up to the Americans win over Yorktown. The French aided the Americans in successful defeat of the British on land and sea. In addition, Spain granted the Americans personal loans these funds allowed the Americans to keep the colonies independence. Spain would fight the British on a second front for the Americans by battling the British in Florida. Another European aid was the use of German mercenaries without this the battle for independence might have been shorter war resulting much more critical America.