Chapter 6
1. Why were British forces military superior to American forces in the first years of
the war? How did the Americans sustain the Revolution between 1776 and 1778?
During the first years of the war, the British forces military were superior to American
forces. The British were military had a better chance of success than the colonists. The
Americans were at many disadvantages. For example, the colonists' soldiers and officers
were limited as well as their weaponry. Many of the American soldiers were poor farmers
looking to make extra salary. In similarity, all the American soldiers were inexperienced
and amateur. In addition, the British created a blockade on the American coastline
prevent the colonists from importing goods as well as isolate them from any form of trade
and manufacturing. Additionally, the British allied with the Native Americans. The
Native Americans agreed to this alliance to prevent the colonists from expanding west.
Along with that, the British hired Hessians, German mercenaries, to assist them in pursuit
of war. Moreover, the Americans were able to sustain the Revolution between 1776 and
1778. The Americans were able to do so because of their victory in Saratoga in 1777
which allowed them an alliance with the French, who supplied the colonists with money
and weaponry. Also, during the winter, the British put off the war, which allowed the
colonists to rally new soldiers and attain a stronger militia.
2. Who is most to blame for Britain's failure to win a quick victory over the American
rebels- General Howe, Burgoyne, or the ministers in London? Explain your answer.
General Howe was most to blame for Britain’s failure to win a quick victory over the
American rebels. During the winter of 1777, he made the executive suggestion to ask
Congress to hold off on war in Philadelphia. If he had pursued in the war, the Americans
wouldn't have had time to gather and improve their forces. By the end of the next
summer, the Americans were strong enough to have a victory in Saratoga, a turning point
for their success. In doing so, the colonists were able to gain confidence and alliance with
the French. This would later help the Americans to beat the British.
3. What were the most important economic and fiscal problems facing the Patriots at
the outset of the war? How successful were they in addressing them?
At the outset of the war, there were many economic and fiscal problems facing the
Patriots. For example, the colonists were very poor and poorly financed. They could not
afford to support their government or afford weaponry or military supplies. In addition,
they were unable to manufacture supplies due to the British blockade, in which British
naval ships were stationed along the American coastline preventing trade. In result,
fishing and farming were greatly affected. To save themselves, the colonists began
creating paper money, which did not help at all. In fact, it increased inflation.
, 4. Why did Britain switch to a southern military strategy Why did that strategy
ultimately fail?
The British military eventually decided to change their strategy to the strategy of the
South. In the south, the British felt as though they would be at an advantage. In the south,
there was rice and tobacco, which the British wanted to take advantage of. In addition, in
the south, the British had the slaves, loyalists, and Anglican Church on their side. The
slaves joined because they were promised freedom if the British won the war. Loyalists
were people who stayed loyal to the king and Parliament, hence their name. Lastly, the
Anglican Church, a prominent religion in Britain, also supported the British in the
revolution. Moreover, the British's plan to use the south as an advantage backfired on
them. Holland also declared war on Britain when they were in the south. Along with that,
the colonists attacked the British with hit and runs or fighting dirty, also known as
guerilla tactics.
5. How did the French alliance ensure the success of the American rebellion?
With the French as an alliance, the success of the revolution was ensured. The French
agreed on helping the colonists under the condition that they won one significant battle.
The battle the colonists won was known as the Victory at Saratoga. After the French
joined, the Americans' chance of success was increased greatly. In fact, without the
French's assistance, the colonists would not have won the revolution. The French
supplied the Americans with money and weaponry. This helped the colonists in getting
their militia together and improving.
6. The text argues that "it was the American people who decided the outcome of the
war." Based on the evidence presented in the chapter, do you agree? Why or why
not?
I agree with the statement that the Americans decided the outcome of the war. The
Americans had the motive and gaining mindset to want to win the war. They were
fighting for a purpose. Along with their winning mindset, the colonists also had women
manufacturing products and goods due to the inability to trade because of the British
blockade. In addition, the American soldiers were provided clothes and other materials
for war effort. Another advantage to the Americans was the colonists' willingness to
volunteer and serve as soldiers. Without the numerous farmers and inexperienced
volunteers joining in to fight, the colonists would not have had that outcome.
7. What were the main differences between the conservative state constitutions, like
that of Massachusetts, and more democratic constitutions, like Philadelphia's?
There were many important differences between the conservative state constitutions, like
Massachusetts, and more democratic constitutions, like Philadelphia. For example, in
Massachusetts, the governor had the ability to veto laws, but the governor in Philadelphia
did not have that luxury. Another difference was who had the ability to vote. In
1. Why were British forces military superior to American forces in the first years of
the war? How did the Americans sustain the Revolution between 1776 and 1778?
During the first years of the war, the British forces military were superior to American
forces. The British were military had a better chance of success than the colonists. The
Americans were at many disadvantages. For example, the colonists' soldiers and officers
were limited as well as their weaponry. Many of the American soldiers were poor farmers
looking to make extra salary. In similarity, all the American soldiers were inexperienced
and amateur. In addition, the British created a blockade on the American coastline
prevent the colonists from importing goods as well as isolate them from any form of trade
and manufacturing. Additionally, the British allied with the Native Americans. The
Native Americans agreed to this alliance to prevent the colonists from expanding west.
Along with that, the British hired Hessians, German mercenaries, to assist them in pursuit
of war. Moreover, the Americans were able to sustain the Revolution between 1776 and
1778. The Americans were able to do so because of their victory in Saratoga in 1777
which allowed them an alliance with the French, who supplied the colonists with money
and weaponry. Also, during the winter, the British put off the war, which allowed the
colonists to rally new soldiers and attain a stronger militia.
2. Who is most to blame for Britain's failure to win a quick victory over the American
rebels- General Howe, Burgoyne, or the ministers in London? Explain your answer.
General Howe was most to blame for Britain’s failure to win a quick victory over the
American rebels. During the winter of 1777, he made the executive suggestion to ask
Congress to hold off on war in Philadelphia. If he had pursued in the war, the Americans
wouldn't have had time to gather and improve their forces. By the end of the next
summer, the Americans were strong enough to have a victory in Saratoga, a turning point
for their success. In doing so, the colonists were able to gain confidence and alliance with
the French. This would later help the Americans to beat the British.
3. What were the most important economic and fiscal problems facing the Patriots at
the outset of the war? How successful were they in addressing them?
At the outset of the war, there were many economic and fiscal problems facing the
Patriots. For example, the colonists were very poor and poorly financed. They could not
afford to support their government or afford weaponry or military supplies. In addition,
they were unable to manufacture supplies due to the British blockade, in which British
naval ships were stationed along the American coastline preventing trade. In result,
fishing and farming were greatly affected. To save themselves, the colonists began
creating paper money, which did not help at all. In fact, it increased inflation.
, 4. Why did Britain switch to a southern military strategy Why did that strategy
ultimately fail?
The British military eventually decided to change their strategy to the strategy of the
South. In the south, the British felt as though they would be at an advantage. In the south,
there was rice and tobacco, which the British wanted to take advantage of. In addition, in
the south, the British had the slaves, loyalists, and Anglican Church on their side. The
slaves joined because they were promised freedom if the British won the war. Loyalists
were people who stayed loyal to the king and Parliament, hence their name. Lastly, the
Anglican Church, a prominent religion in Britain, also supported the British in the
revolution. Moreover, the British's plan to use the south as an advantage backfired on
them. Holland also declared war on Britain when they were in the south. Along with that,
the colonists attacked the British with hit and runs or fighting dirty, also known as
guerilla tactics.
5. How did the French alliance ensure the success of the American rebellion?
With the French as an alliance, the success of the revolution was ensured. The French
agreed on helping the colonists under the condition that they won one significant battle.
The battle the colonists won was known as the Victory at Saratoga. After the French
joined, the Americans' chance of success was increased greatly. In fact, without the
French's assistance, the colonists would not have won the revolution. The French
supplied the Americans with money and weaponry. This helped the colonists in getting
their militia together and improving.
6. The text argues that "it was the American people who decided the outcome of the
war." Based on the evidence presented in the chapter, do you agree? Why or why
not?
I agree with the statement that the Americans decided the outcome of the war. The
Americans had the motive and gaining mindset to want to win the war. They were
fighting for a purpose. Along with their winning mindset, the colonists also had women
manufacturing products and goods due to the inability to trade because of the British
blockade. In addition, the American soldiers were provided clothes and other materials
for war effort. Another advantage to the Americans was the colonists' willingness to
volunteer and serve as soldiers. Without the numerous farmers and inexperienced
volunteers joining in to fight, the colonists would not have had that outcome.
7. What were the main differences between the conservative state constitutions, like
that of Massachusetts, and more democratic constitutions, like Philadelphia's?
There were many important differences between the conservative state constitutions, like
Massachusetts, and more democratic constitutions, like Philadelphia. For example, in
Massachusetts, the governor had the ability to veto laws, but the governor in Philadelphia
did not have that luxury. Another difference was who had the ability to vote. In
