Major Combatants:
Great Britain
Key Figures:
Howe served in the Seven Year's War and the War of Austrian Succession. He came to the American colonies to lead troops under the command of Thomas Gage. Howe led his troops to many successful victories, Such as, capturing New York, Philadelphia, and winning the Battle of Bunker Hill. Then, he started losing. He lost the chance of capturing Washington twice. Many people in Britain started talking badly about him. He resigned his post to evade the embarrassment.
Charles Cornwallis was born to and English ruling class family on New Year's Eve. Cornwallis served during the Seven Year's War. He felt sympathy towards the colonists and he voted for repealing the Stamp Act. He was only one in five other members to vote for the removal. After Lexington and Concord, Cornwallis was promoted to the rank of lieutenant General and went to America. He failed to take Fort Moultrie, which is on Sullivan's Island, Charleston, South Carolina. Later, he won the Battle of New York. Also, he failed to defeat Washington and his troops at Trenton, New Jersey. Lastly, he had to surrender at the Battle of Yorktown because Washington's troops and the French encircled him with no escape routes or help to come get him. He pretended to be ill so he wouldn't have to take part in the surrendering ceremony.
Thomas Gage served in the Seven Year's War. Howe led troops under Gage's command. Gage was the commander in cheif of all the troops in America. Later, Gage became the Royal Governer of Massachusetts. Howe later replaced Gage. Followed by many losses at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
|
John Burgoyne served in the Seven Year's War. This won him a seat in the House of Commons and fame. After war spread through the American Colonies, he was promoted to Major-General. He Burgoyne led his troops to New York. He traveled heavy. about thirty wagons, troops, and soldiers. The rebels found out where he was going and tried to slow down his ascent to his destination. The rebels chopped down trees and bushes to slow them down. Burgoyne and his troops traveled only a mile everyday through the vast forest. After the defeat of the Battle of Saratoga, Burgoyne lost his reputation and was blamed severly for the army's defeat in the war.
Sir Henry Clinton was the son of the Royal Governer of New York, George Clinton. He distinguished himself during the Seven Year's war. He was promoted to the rank of major general. He also got a sear in Paliament. Clinton was sent to the colonies and played a major role in the war. He successfully captured New York City, through the Battle of Long Island. When Howe failed to help Burgoyne in New York, Clinton replaced him as the commander and cheif of the British North American Forces.
Lord North was the Prime Minister of Great Britain. North had many success which buit confidence in King Goerge III and the Parliament. North was givin the job of removing the crisis and spreading peace throughout the colonies. After the loss of the American Revolution, North was removed from his post as the Prime Minister. He is now forever know as the Minister who lost America.
|
Allies: Hessians
The Hessians were hired by the British to aid them in the American Revolution. The Hessians were 30,000 German troops. They were excellent soldiers. The Hessians were allies with the British for a long time because LandGrave Fredrick II of Hessse-Cassel, was the son-in-law of of King George II. Some of the Hessians weren't even from Hesse-Cassel. As the war went on, some of the Hessians sided with the Americans. The first time that the Hessians fought in was the Battle of Long Island. They also fought in:
The Hessians were hired by the British to aid them in the American Revolution. The Hessians were 30,000 German troops. They were excellent soldiers. The Hessians were allies with the British for a long time because LandGrave Fredrick II of Hessse-Cassel, was the son-in-law of of King George II. Some of the Hessians weren't even from Hesse-Cassel. As the war went on, some of the Hessians sided with the Americans. The first time that the Hessians fought in was the Battle of Long Island. They also fought in:
- The Battle of Fort Washington
- The Battle of White Plains
- The Battle of Savahhan
- The Battle of Trenton
- The Battle of Guilford Courthouse
American Colonies
Key Figures:
George Washington was born on February 22 to a family of wealthy planters. He became a senior officer in a colonial militia during the beginning of the French and Indian War. When the Second Continental congress was formed, Washington was chosen to lead the Continental Army. Washington led the army to many success and losses. Some of his successes were the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Yorktown.
|
Marquis de Lafayette was born on September 6 to a family in Chavaniac. He was a French aristocrat as well as a military officer. Lafayette supplied the continental army with clothing. King George III's brother told Lafayette that he should fight against the British. He fought in the Battle of Brandywine where he was wounded, but he still was able to command a retreat. During the middle of the war, he returned back home to increase the number of French helping the Americans. He rose in ranks and led his own troops to help encircle Yorktown, where Cornwallis surrenders.
|
Henry Knox was a soldier in the Continental army. Knox was born in Boston, Massachusettes. There, he owned a bookstore. He had an intrest in military history. When the American Revolution started, he befreinded Washington and rose to the rank of Cheif Artillery Officer. He was responsible for America's relationship with the Native Americans.
Israel Putnam served in the french and Indian War. He was already an officer when the American revolution started. Putnam led troops in the Battle of Bunker Hill. His famous quote,"Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes." After this battle, he led troops in to other battles. They were embarrassing losses though. He had to resign his post because he had a stroke.
|
Nathanael Greene was born on August 7. He was a Major General in the Continental Army. When the American Revolution began, Greene got the lowest rank possible, militia private. At the end of the war, he got a reputation of being Washington's most gifted and debendable officer. In the United States, there are many places that are named after Greene.
Paul Revere was a silversmith. He was the one who engraved the Boston massacre. When Revere found out about the British coming to Concord to get the guns and gunpowder they hid, he went on his horse through towns at midnight. Warning the colonists and made the militia get their guns and be ready to fight.
|
Allies: France and Spain
France: France secretly aided the Americans during the French and Indian war by sending in supplies to the Americans. France joined the war after the Battle of Saratoga. After the Americans won the battle, France decided to enter the war as the American's ally. France had a rivalry with the British. They fought the British and lost some of their land. They decided to support the Americans becuase they had a common enemy and they wanted to avenge their territory that they lost. France wanted revenge against Great Britain. In the process, they started having a war debt.
Spain: Spain was like France. They wanted revenge against Great Britain and, they wanted to regain their land that they had lost to the British. Spain supported the American's in their war by providing them with military supplies. Spain didn't help suplly with troops. Spain helped them at the Seige of Yorktown, 1781, with gold and silver. They also sent naval support to the Americans.
Spain: Spain was like France. They wanted revenge against Great Britain and, they wanted to regain their land that they had lost to the British. Spain supported the American's in their war by providing them with military supplies. Spain didn't help suplly with troops. Spain helped them at the Seige of Yorktown, 1781, with gold and silver. They also sent naval support to the Americans.