For those unfamiliar with the American Revolutionary War, a quick review of the events is in order. We will look at the Battle of Saratoga, the Smallpox epidemic, the principle of sea power, and many other topics. But before we can move on to more specific topics, let’s look at the battle for New York City. This is the battle that shaped the entire conflict, and the first major battle of the American Revolution.
Battle of Saratoga
The first battle of Saratoga took place on the farmland of British loyalist John Freeman. American soldiers, led by Daniel Morgan, brought 500 sharpshooters to the field and took out British officers. The British force gained control of the field, but were forced to surrender after sustaining 600 casualties, twice the number of Americans. A monument was erected at the site commemorating the victory over Burgoyne and his troops.
The victory at Saratoga helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War, and it also persuaded France to help the Americans. The battle also helped bring France into the war, and Spain joined as a result. The French alliance was important in the American war effort, as they provided necessary materials and trained engineers, marines, and sailors. In addition, they facilitated the creation of the American Republic, which was a major step toward freedom.
The British Redcoats planned a divide-and-conquer attack against the Americans in upstate New York, but a series of mishaps made the British army unprepared for the challenge. Instead, Gates’ fast-growing army was attacked by the Continental Army, giving the Americans an important morale boost and persuading the French, Spanish, and Dutch to join the cause. Although this battle was not the last, it certainly boosted the Patriot cause, and it helped sway the outcome of the American Revolution.
After the initial assault, the British forces began retreating north. Rather than retreating to Fort Ticonderoga, they tried to cross back across the Hudson River at Saratoga. However, they were outnumbered and surrounded by American troops. This gave the Americans time to consolidate their defenses on the Bemis Heights. But their retreat was shortlived, as the British began to withdraw back home.
Smallpox epidemic
In May 1776, the Americans were facing an epidemic of smallpox. The winter chill drove them indoors, and many suffered from the disease. This resulted in a large exodus of refugees from Boston, which forced General Howe to order the 300 citizens to Point Shirley. Washington was worried that the disease would spread from camp to camp, and banned the refugees from entering the American army.
In response to a letter from London’s Dr. William Heberden, Benjamin Franklin wrote about the smallpox outbreak in Boston. The physician reported that there were six deaths among 247 people who were inoculated. The mortality rate among the inoculated was 2.4%, almost ten times lower than that of the unprotected population. However, there was no way to identify the exact number of people who contracted the disease.
A number of men from the Continental Army were weakened by the epidemic, particularly those who had not been vaccinated. As a result, the epidemic led to heavy losses for the Continental army besieging Quebec. In addition, the disease signaled to Washington that the army’s smallpox policy was ineffective. It was not until Washington and his commanders realized that smallpox outbreaks were a growing concern, that they could make the entire war impossible.
Washington’s efforts to eradicate the smallpox epidemic in the American Revolutionary War were successful. The disease was eradicated through vaccination. The vaccination of soldiers was an important part of Washington’s public policy, and it was eventually superseded by a safer vaccine. The success of Washington’s efforts to stop the smallpox epidemic during the American Revolutionary War helped pave the way for the birth of the American nation.
Sea power
During the American Revolutionary War, sea power played an extremely important role, both for the Americans and for Britain. The obvious military narratives of this period concerned fleet battles and invasions, but the use of sea power is far less obvious. In 1776, the British fleet arrived off the coast of New York, frightening rebels and giving loyalists new hope. It changed the course of the battle and the situation in New York.
Alfred Thayer Mahan, a lecturer and former president of the US Naval War College, published a book called The Influence of Sea Power on History in 1660-1783, examining the role of maritime forces in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In this book, Mahan examines the history of sea power and the role it played in the American Revolution. The book begins with an analysis of the state of Europe in 1660 and then proceeds to discuss the effects of sea power on the French Revolution and Second Anglo-Dutch War.
As with any other war, sea power played a vital role during the American Revolution. The conflict between the British and the American colonies turned toward the United States at the Battle of the Chesapeake. As the resulting conflict was ultimately won by the Americans, the war on land was won by sea. This pivotal moment in the history of sea power has been a key part of the American Revolution and has been used as proof that sea power can still win.
Today, naval affairs and naval warfare are at the center of competition. As the world grapples with the problems of disease and environmental disasters, American policymakers debate the proper use of military power. Kelly’s book illuminates numerous examples of the use of sea power. It is well worth reading if you’re interested in American history or naval strategy. There is much to consider in this book. There is much to learn and discuss in this timely and insightful book.
Principles
The American Revolutionary War was a conflict of the first degree that involved the use of arms. The people of the Thirteen States were not homogeneous and their loyalty varied across regions, communities, and families. Throughout the war, American troops were more adept at using firearms than the British, and the Patriots’ morale fluctuated with the battle. Although not all Patriots shared the indomitable spirit of George Washington, they were motivated by the possible consequences of defeat.
In addition to its military strategy, the American Revolution exposed competing ideas of government-rule. British forces underestimated the insurgency of the Americans and underestimated the terrain. Despite their massive size, British generals clashed with their North American field commanders, compromising the American effort. British generals undercut each other for career advancement, creating a dangerous and chaotic environment. Finally, British political factions sabotaged the American effort.
The war’s size also made it difficult to create a large army and sustain continuous operations. The Continental Army was composed of 231,771 men, but at any given point, the American force was much smaller, ranging from two thousand to three hundred thousand. The American forces were also small field armies with poorly disciplined state militias. Many of these militias were summoned to fight for only a few months at a time.
The American Revolution was an incredibly significant conflict. The Continental Congress pronounced British King George III a tyrant and pronounced the colonies free and independent states. Patriot leadership also professed the political philosophies of republicanism and liberalism, rejecting the aristocracy and monarchy. Moreover, the Declaration of Independence declared that “all men are created equal.” These principles became a cornerstone of American democracy and led to the emergence of the United States.
Famous people of the revolution
Some of the most prominent Americans of the American Revolution were enslaved by the British and fought alongside the British army. Among these people were General Philip Schuyler of the Continental Army, Colonel Goose Van Schaick of the 1st NY Regiment, and Hannah Till, an enslaved woman who worked for General George Washington at the Valley Forge encampment during the American Revolution. Afterward, she paid for her freedom and continued to work as a salaried cook. Other prominent Americans of the American Revolution included Benjamin Franklin, an inventor and printer from Philadelphia. He drew the famous “Join or Die” cartoon for the Albany Congress and served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. Eventually, Franklin and other revolutionaries would help write the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the independence of the United States of America.
Other important individuals of the war included Casimir Pulaski and John Paul Jones. During the war, these men became a symbol of the American Revolution. They were black slaves and freemen of mixed race, and they became a symbol of the anti-slavery movement and Native Americans. In addition to being martyrs, they were able to inspire many people and inspire countless others today. There are many more famous Americans who fought in the American Revolution.
Some of the most famous individuals of the American Revolutionary War are: George Washington, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and General Lafayette. All of these men played an important role in the war, and they all contributed in some way to the outcome. But some of the most important individuals were the founding fathers, military leaders, and ordinary citizens who stood up for the freedom of their nation. There are many other American Revolutionary War famous individuals whose lives are well documented in the media.
