Strengths and Weaknesses Revolution

Strengths and Weaknesses of the American and British in the American Revolution

​Overview of the American Revolution

• ​The American Revolution was a war fought between Great Britain and the Americans (previously known as the British colonists) from 1775 until 1783 

• ​While Lexington and Concord are considered the first battles, in 1775 the war wasn't official until the Declaration of Independence was created in 1776

​What were the British fighting for in the American Revolution?

The British government was fighting to put down the colonists rebellion. They didn’t think this would turn into a full scale war that would last years. They thought they would be able to crush the colonists and get them in line within a few months 

Multiple Choice

What were the British fighting for in the American Revolution?

• To gain independence

• To gain new colonies

• To put down the colonists' rebellion

• To protect the British government from being attacked

​What were the Americans fighting for in the American Revolution?

The Americans were fighting for their independence from Great Britain. They wanted to be recognized as an independent country.

Multiple Choice

What were the Americans (colonists) fighting for in the American Revolution?

• More land

• To be recognized as an independent country

• To take down the British government and replace it with a democracy 

• To stop the British rebellion

​What is the difference between a battle and a war?

A war is a long period of conflict that usually lasts several years. The soldiers do not fight every day. A war ends with a treaty and often one side is clearly the winner and gains something. The times when they are in direct combat are called battles.

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A battle is direct fighting that takes place from an hour to a few days.  The same soldiers are not fighting at all times (think of it like a sports game; battles are like the innings/quarters/rounds etc. and the same people aren't playing/fighting the whole time)

Multiple Choice

The overall time period of fighting from the beginning until a treaty is signed (usually for several years) is called a-

• War

• Battle

How is a winner determined in a battle?

A battle is won by the side that does not give up and retreat (leave first.) Therefore, having more casualties (dead & injured) does not always mean you lost a battle. 

Multiple Choice

The winner in a battle is the side that-

• Has more soldiers that have died

• signed the treaty

• did not retreat/leave

• Declared that they won

There are several names for both sides during the Revolution: ​

British side

Red Coats

Royal Army and Navy

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​Colonists side

​Militia /minutemen 

Continental Army 

Rebels

Patriots

Americans

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was NOT a name for the colonists in the American Revolution? 

• Rebels

• Redcoats

• Continental Army 

• Americans

• militiamen

The Americans had an army called the Continental Army which was led by George Washington. 

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​Each colony also had a militia that fought only in their colony.

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The militias fought in some battles and the Continental Army fought in other battles.

British or American strength during the American Revolution? Prediction Questions

​you won't lose points for a prediction; just make your best guess!

Poll

Had more troops

Was this a strength of the British or Americans in the American Revolution?

• British 

• Americans

​The British had more troops

​In 1776 when the war became official the British had 32,000 troops stationed in the colonies and the Americans only had 20,000 troops

Poll

Had more experienced/ better trained soldiers

Was this a strength of the British or Americans in the American Revolution?

• British 

• Americans

​The British had more experienced/ better trained soldiers

The British army was one of the best militaries in the world. The Americans didn't have their own army and were starting one from scratch

Poll

Knowledge of the land where the battles were fought 

Was this a strength of the British or Americans in the American Revolution?

• British 

• Americans

The Americans had better knowledge of the land

All of the battles of the American Revolution took place in the 13 colonies. Colonists knew their own land better than the British. However, loyalists often helped the British to better understand the colonies

Poll

More money and supplies

Was this a strength of the British or Americans in the American Revolution?

• British 

• Americans

The British had more money and supplies

Even though the British were in debt, they were an established country that could easily borrow money from other countries or tax its citizens. America was a brand new country that no other country had acknowledged yet. In addition the 2nd Continental Congress didn't want to tax the American people because a major reason they were fighting the British was because of taxes.

​British currency

​American currency

Poll

More passionate about what they were fighting for

Was this a strength of the British or Americans in the American Revolution?

• British 

• Americans

The Americans were more passionate about what they were fighting for

Americans were fighting for freedom and rights. American soldiers fought because they chose to (they were usually unpaid volunteers)

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​The British were fighting to put down the American rebellion. British soldiers fought because it was their job

Poll

Better leadership

Was this a strength of the British or Americans in the American Revolution?

• British 

• Americans

The Americans had better leadership

The British didn't send their best generals because they underestimated the Americans. They thought they could win with their B team

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​The militia leaders were ruthless and creative and the Continental Army who had George Washington who was very smart and dedicated