In contrast, the British forces were very
In contrast, the British forces were very
Even though the British referred to the Continental Army as a “rabble in arms” (McCullough 25), the author carefully paints his story to show how the colonists were prepared to defeat the British. He does so by mentioning the fact that the size of the Continental Army was twice the size of the British Army that was occupying Boston: “[T]here were perhaps 7,000 of the King’s men in Boston, or roughly half the number under Washington’s command.” (McCullough 25). Although the British troops were better trained and had more experience than the volunteers who were a part of the American army, the multitude in number was still a notable quality of Washington’s men that foreshadowed their ultimate victory.…
David McCullough’s 1776 is a well written book, starting with its title. It's a story about the war, yet no actual fighting happens for most of the book. George Washington is often diminished compared to other characters in the book, and readers almost feel sorry for the usually infamous characters such as the loyalists, Hessians, and even King George III.…
The book, 1776 by David McCullough alter my opinions of both George Washington and King George III. My opinion about George Washington changed from thinking of Washington being a great leader, knowing every move, to a leader that had flaws but was still the guy to lead the army. For example, at the battle of New York, Washington was struggling to deal with the British offensive by not knowing where to place his troops. However, towards the end of the book George Washington becomes succeeds in winning the pivotal battle of Trenton. Showing how he was flawed, but was still the commander for the job. My judgement of King George III was being told that he was insane, power hungry, and ill. After reading 1776 I thought of King George III is being…
Pulitzer Prize winner, David McCullough, authored the intense and well-researched novel 1776 about the tumultuous times of American independence from the British Empire. He recreates scenes of heroic battles as well as dramatic encounters between diplomats with outstanding details to support his writing. In his acknowledgments, McCullough informs the reader that the material in his novel came from over 25 libraries, archives and historic sites in both the United States and the United Kingdom. McCullough’s history lesson in his novel 1776 does more than just teach the reader; it puts them into the setting of pre-revolutionary war America.…
According to Weigley, Washington's generalship was shaped by military poverty which was visible in a lack of naval power, the land forces' equipment deficiencies, and a shortage of men and armaments. Weigley also stated that American armies in the Revolutionary War had to utilize a strategy founded upon this weakness. Lee talks about how Washington avoided confrontations with the main British Army whenever he could. The campaign in Philadelphia of 1777-78 focused on three components which mostly affected the level of restraint. First, Washington must keep his army alive by avoiding a crushing defeat.…
The book starts out with an account of the British troops leaving Boston Harbor in March of 1776. The people of America were celebrating George Washington and what they thought was the end of the war. Washington wasn’t so convinced. He alludes to many difficulties that he “was obliged to conceal then from my friends, indeed from my own Army.”…
It was December; cold and harsh. The Continental Army outside and risking frostbite walking through snow. Their spirits low after several defeats, the soldiers needed motivation. The British soldiers have been following the Continental Army all the way to New Jersey. Commander-in-chief George Washington had a plan though. He was going to cross the Delaware River and surprise the Hessians. The problem was, the army was suffering under terrible conditions. There were many ice storms and the Delaware River was full of several mini glaciers. This was the colonists last hope of winning the war. This, was The Battle of Trenton.…
1776 tells the story of the “rabble” of an army Washington created and their struggle against all odds to survive (291). The novel starts in the fall of 1775 and concludes in January of 1777 after the American victory of Trenton. On multiple occasions McCullough tells of how the Continental Army was nothing more than a “rabble in arms” and how many perceived it as nothing more than “a preposterous parade” (25). McCullough does not attempt to mask the difficulties the army endured. He tells, with brutal honesty, the odds they faced and the obstacles they overcame.…
1776, a brilliant book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, retells the story of America’s brutal battle for independence throughout the American Revolution. In an informative tone, McCullough brings the American Revolution to life as he reiterates America’s history through the incorporation of details pertaining to each of the important figures of the war as well as the story format of his well-researched book. Through the use of visual aids such as maps and pictures depicting battles as well as the inclusion of personal and formal letters, McCullough is able to portray a vision of American hardship and success on a more personal level than most historic writers.…
George Washington was a land survey during the French and Indian Wars, he led the Virginia militia. Twenty years later, when the American Revolution broke out. Washington commanded the Continental armies. In 1776, after blockading Boston, the city was taken from the British. Later, however, Washington yielded New York City to the enemy, he retreated to Pennsylvania. In December, he boosted the sagging morale of his men crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night he attacks Trenton, where Hessians (British allies) were stationed, then went on to defects British army at Princeton. In 1777-1788, the army spent a miserable winter at Valley Forge Pennsylvania. Later, however, it defeated the British at Monmouth, New Jersey. This battle marked…
In the book “A Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of America” by Joseph J. Ellis tells the story of the summer of 1776. The book starts around the time of May, 1776 before the declaration of independence is signed. Chapter 1 of A Revolutionary Summer follows “By the spring of 1776, British and American troops had been killing each other at a robust rate for a full year” (Ellis, 2013, p. 2). The book has the political side of the revolution and the military side, and combined them together to show how they affect each other. The political side follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. While the military side follows George Washington and the Howes brothers. The story tells of 13 colonies that ended up coming together and agreeing…
Before the Revolution even began, Britain had made negotiations with Hesse-Kassel and paid 20,000,000 thalers into Hesse-Kassel’s treasury. They also paid the troops sent over at British standards of pay and guaranteed to not place the troops outside of North America. And to sweeten the deal even further, they promised to aid Hesse-Kassel if it were ever attacked by a foreign nation (Showalter). Once the Revolution broke out, Hesse-Kassel sent an initial fleet of 17,000 troops to aid the British in America (McCullough). Throughout the course of the war they sent a total of approximately 30,000 soldiers and about 17,000 never returned both because of death and remaining in America (Reese). By the time the Hessians arrived in America, they were known throughout the world to be brutal, and to bayonet captured soldiers to trees. The first battle that the Hessian soldiers would experience in America took place on Christmas in 1776. Having been used to partying on Christmas, the Hessians drank much beer, and were very sleepy in the morning. Crossing the river during the night, Gen. Washington decided to launch a surprise attack on the hung-over Hessians. Being aware of the attack but too hung-over to put up much of a fight, the Hessians became jittery and the Commander of the Army was still sleeping as the Americans arrived. He was woken up and threw on his clothes at the last minute with the news that Washington had crossed the river. When he walked outside it was reported that the Americans had surrounded the city and captured the picket guard, and the Hessian artillery. Not knowing what to do, the Hessians launched a bayonet charge because their flints were wet from the night before and therefore they could not fire their muskets. But the American troops had…
The first part titled “The Siege” discusses the beginning of the Revolutionary War, including the series of attacks. The second part is called “The Fateful Summer” which discusses the hardships both the Patriots and the Red Coats faced. The last part is titled “The Long Retreat” and closes the novel by discussing how the Revolutionary War came to an end. As a concise summary, the siege of Boston and a description of how the British escaped began 1776, which led to General Washington rushing to New York to prepare for the next battle. The British were in the hands of the Howe brothers at the point. The British army caught Washington off guard, which led to the Battle in Brooklyn. Soon Washington was leading his army across the Delaware where they defeated Hessians in Trenton. A success in Princeton followed which seemed to almost give the Americans a sense of pride. Later on the British surrendered at Yorktown. After this main battle, 1776 began to fizzle out due to Britain and the French becoming an issue of its…
It is December 25, 1776 I George Washington have a plan for me and my best companion Zklav and my troops. My plan is to wait till all of the Hessians are asleep then attack them. But first I need to recruit more men I will read a text from Thomas Paine's Crises document. I went into a town and started to read “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the shine patriots will,in this crisis,shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands NOW,deserves the love and thanks of man and woman”.…
6. The British military on the other hand, lacked the spirit f war, especially after the first round of attacks.…