Name________________________________________Date________________Period_________ (1 pt)
Chapter 7 Section 2 Reading Guide (20 points)
1. Why did France and Spain enter the war? (1 point)
Because Britain had been their enemy for many years and joining the American cause would force
Britain to spread its resources over several fronts.
2. Why were the American militia members referred to as “Minutemen”? (1 point)
Supposed to be ready to fight at any minute
3. What advantage did these militia give to the American side? (1 point)
Knew the American terrain and used guerilla ambush tactics/ swelled numbers fighting
4. Why did France hope to weaken the British? (1 point)
The French and been defeated by Britain in the French and Indian War.
5. How did Valley Forge transform the American army? (1 point)
Despite the hardships, the American troops at Valley Forge became a well-disciplined fighting force.
Washington’s determination and patriotism led his men through the difficult times.
6. Why do you think more soldiers did not desert the army after suffering such hardships? (1 point)
Believed in the cause, so wanted to stay and fight
7. What positive difference did Baron von Steuben make at Valley Forge? (1 point)
Trained the inexperienced American soldiers into a better fighting force.
8. What has Valley Forge come to symbolize in American history? (1 point)
The hardships, suffering and sacrifices that we endured in our fight to win independence
9. Why did the war spread to the frontier? (1 point)
The Americans wanted to attack British forts on the frontier and force the redcoats to spread their
troops and resources over a large area.
10. Why did the British try to restrict settlement in the frontier? (1 point)
The more the colonists spread out, the more difficult it would be to control them.
11. Why did Clark want to expand the war into the frontier? (1 point)
Because Britain had tried to restrict settlement there; to gain more land for America (*also, it spread
British forces out…weakening them)
12. How did Americans expand the naval war? (1 point)
The Americans used numerous privateers to attack and capture British merchant and supply ships.
13. What is a privateer? ( 1 point)
A privately owned ship-or its captain-that has been granted permission by a wartime government to
attack an enemy’s merchant ships.
14. Why did American expand the war to the seas? (1 point)
Britain had over 200 warships off the American coast, allowing them to control the Atlantic trade
routes.
15. List reasons why France decided to help America. (2 points) Were Spain’s reasons the same or
different? Explain. (1 point)
They were bitter over losing the French and Indian War to the British; they wanted to weaken the
British. Spain wanted to extend its empire.
16. How did foreign officers help General Washington? (1 point)
They helped attain foreign aid; fought and helped train the army.
17. How did the alliance with France alter American’s financial situation? (1 point)
France sent funds, supplies, and troops to American, which helped America’s finances.