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Chapter 6 section 2 A Critical Time

Terms in this set (38)

what are the two reasons the continental army had to keep retreating from Genaral Howe's attacks?
the continental army was smaller and less experienced
by mid-1776 the war shifted from where to where?
Boston and New England to the Middle states
who did the Continental army not fight well against?
Sir William Howe and his british troops ;1776
where did the continental army not fight well against sir William Howe and his british troops?
in Long Island,New York
how many british troops and sailors did Sir William Howe lead?
34'000 troops and 10'000 sailors
where did Howe attack smaller less experienced American forces?
on Long Island, New York
who emerged as an american hero?
Nathan Hale
why was Nathan Hale an American hero?
he volunteered to spy on the british at Long Island; he was caught and hung.
what were his famous last words
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country"
by December 1776 the continental army had retreated all the way into where?
Pennsylvania
why did the soldiers spirits plunge?
they failed to achieve any victories
because they failed to achieve any victories the soldiers did what?
began to desert the army
who wrote the American Crisis
Thomas Paine
why did Thomas Paine write the American Crisis?
to inspire soldiers to remain committed to freedom
what did Washington do on Christmas night 1776?
led his soldiers across the Delaware river for a surprise attack on Trenton from two sides
who were the defeated troops in the Trenton attack?
hessian mercenaries
what are hessian mercenaries?
soldiers who are paid to fight for a country other than there own
what also boosted the spirits throughout the army?
another american attack near Princeton,New Jersey on the British
what british general came up with a plan to defeat the Americans?
John Burgoyne
what was the plan Burgoyne came up with?
three-pronged attack to cut off New England from other states; although the americans were successful at blocking the british movements
what american general forced Burgoyne and his troops to surrender?
Horatio Gates
when did American general Horatio Gates force Burgoyne and his troops to surrender
October 17, 1777
where did american general Horatio Gates force Burgoyne and his troops to surrender?
Saratoga, New York
what did the Battle of Saratoga do for the Americans?
lifted the patriots spirits, secured New England states for the Americans, showed Europe the continental army might win the war; France, Spain, and the Netherlands join the fight against the british
what two generals where at the battle of Saratoga?
british general John Burgoyne and american general Horatio Gates
what did France become in 1778?
the first foreign country to sign a treaty with the united states
who joined the war against Britain?
France and two of its allies Spain and Netherlands
France, Spain, and Netherlands joining forces caused what?
the british to fight in several areas besides North America; helped the american cause
who also aided the americans?
individual Europeans
what french noble became a good friend of George Washington leading troops together?
Marquis de Lafayette
Casimir Pulaski from Poland did what?
trained the patriot calvary
what is a calvary?
units of troops on horseback
who was Baron Friedrich von Steuben?
a masterful German commander
how was Baron Friedrich von Steuben helpful?
taught american recruits how to march, aim, and attack with bayonets
what happened through the winter of 1777-1778?
Washington and his troops suffered
where did Washington and his troops suffer?
Valley of Forge, Pennsylvania
what four things did the soldiers at the Valley of Forge need?
food, clothing, medicine, and well built huts to keep the chill out
how many soldiers were sick at any given time?
one fourth
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