Chapter 6 Study Guide
Directions: Explain each of the following terms, names, and places.
George Washington- leader of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War
Benedict Arnold – American who helped win at Saratoga, but became a traitor by trying to give West Point to the British
Nathan Hale- American who was hanged for spying against the British who said, “I regret that I have but one live to lose for my country.”
Ethan Allen – along with Benedict Arnold and his Green Mountain boys he captured Fort Ticonderoga’s cannons from the British
General William Howe – British general who led troops in the early part of the war. Captured Philadelphia after the Battle of Brandywine.
Johnny Burgoyne – British general who surrendered at Saratoga
Horatio Gates – American General who led Americans to victory at Saratoga. Lost his command after a terrible defeat at Camden
Thomas Jefferson –American statesman who wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Battle of Bunker Hill – British lose 1000 men in an early battle, but still win. Americans prove they can fight with the British army. Prescott orders his troops “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”
Ft.Ticonderoga – fort near Lake Champlain in New York. Americans led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured cannons from here in May of 1776.
Battle of Trenton – American victory where Washington and his men captured 900 Hessians
Battle of Princeton- Washington and his men defeat a small part of Cornwallis’ army before spending the winter in Morristown, NJ
Battle of Saratoga- Johnny Burgoyne surrenders after Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold defeat his army. This victory convinced France and Spain to give us help in the war.
King George III – King of Great Britain during the Revolutionary War
Lexington and Concord – first battles of the Revolutionary War. The “Shot heard ‘round the world” was fired at Lexington.
Patriots – Americans loyal to the colonies. Against the British. Yankees.
Loyalists – Americans loyal to Great Britain. Tories
Second Continental Congress – Group of men that ran the US during the war. Appointed George Washington as general of the Continental Army after Lexington and Concord
Treaty of Paris – peace agreement that ended the war and made the US officially free.
Battle of Yorktown – Last major battle of the war. Cornwallis’ surrenders after being surrounded by Washington and the French Navy
Battle of Cowpens – important victory for the Americans in the South. Daniel Morgan defeats Bannastre Tarleton and forces Cornwallis out of South Carolina.
Battle of Camden- Bad defeat for the Americans. Gates is replaced by Greene after this loss.
Battle of King’s Mountain – Battle where Isaac Shelby and William Campbell defeat a loyalist army helping Cornwallis.
Battle of Vincennes – George Rogers Clark led Americans to victory in Indiana. The US gains control of the western lands
Battle of Brandywine – Howe defeats Washington and captures Philadelphia
Valley Forge- Washington’s army has a tough winter here where 2500 men died, but they fought better after this winter due to training by European officers like Baron Von Steuben.
Part II - Short Answers/Big Questions
- Explain why the Battles of Saratoga were important to our victory over England.
After this victory, European nations like France agreed to help fight the British.
- Why were Americans able to defeat England and win our independence?
Look at reasons for victory in our notes!
- What was one of the most important problems left for our new nation to solve after winning independence? Explain why this was important.
The biggest problem was to pay off the debt and how to pay the Revolutionary War soldiers. This is important because the debt could cause the failure of the new country.