In the early stages of the American Revolution, battles over Quebec,
New York, and New Jersey played an important role in the war.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Evaluate the success and failure of the Continental Army under Washington’s leadership
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
The unsuccessful invasion of Quebec was the first major campaign undertaken by the Continental
Army.
The British held New York for the rest of the war, using it as a base for expeditions against other
targets.
Major General Richard Montgomery successfully took control of Montreal in late 1775.
The failure of the Continental Army to hold New York strengthened Loyalist sentiment in the
region.
The Britain maintained control of New York City until the war ended in 1783, using it as a base for
operations elsewhere in North America.
In late December, 1776, Washington triumphed at the Battle of Trenton, a victory which
increased Patriot morale and recruitment. In early January 1777, the British retook Trenton, but
suffered heavy casualties.
In 1776, British General William Howe gained control of Long Island and New York City.
The failure of the Continental Army to hold New York strengthened Loyalist sentiment in the
region.
The Britain maintained control of New York City until the war ended in 1783, using it as a base for
operations elsewhere in North America.
In late December, 1776, Washington triumphed at the Battle of Trenton, a victory which increased
Patriot morale and recruitment.
In early January 1777, the British retook Trenton, but suffered heavy casualties.
Washington immediately advanced on Princeton and defeated the British, who lost more than
one quarter of their force in this battle.
These defeats persuaded General Howe to withdraw themajority of his troops from New Jersey;
outposts remained at New Brunswick and Perth Amboy.
TERMS [ edit ]
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War,
after General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton, New Jersey.
Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn or the Battle of Brooklyn Heights,
fought on August 27, 1776, was the first major battle in the American Revolutionary War
following the United States Declaration of Independence. It was the largest battle of the entire
conflict, and the first battle in which an army of the United States engaged, having declared itself
a nation only the month before.
Battle of Quebec
The Battle of Quebec was fought on December 31, 1775 between American Continental Army
forces and the British defenders of the city of Quebec, early in the American Revolutionary War.
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Quebec
The invasion of Canada in 1775 was the first major militaryinitiative by the newly formed
Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The objective of the campaign
was to gain military control of the British Province of Quebec and to persuade the French­
speaking Canadiens to support the revolution.
Forces under Major General Richard Montgomery captured Fort St. Johns, the main
defensive point south of Montreal, in November 1775. British General Guy Carleton quickly
abandoned Montreal, fleeing to Quebec City, and Montgomery took control of Montreal.
A simultaneous expedition left Cambridge, Massachusetts under Benedict Arnold, and
traveled with great difficulty through the wilderness of Maine to Quebec City. This arduous
trek left Arnold's surviving troops starving and lacking in basic supplies and equipment.
Montgomery joined Arnold outside of Quebec, with an army much reduced in size due to
expiring one­year enlistment terms.
In December 1775, Montgomery and Arnold's combined forces were defeated at the Battle of
Quebec. The battle was a disastrous defeat for the Patriots. Montgomery was killed and
Arnold wounded. Arnold then conducted an ineffectual siege on the city, but was driven over
the border, back to Fort Ticonderoga. The Patriot forces by this point were disorganized and
weakened by smallpox. Meanwhile, Loyalist sentiments in Canada were boosted by
successful propaganda campaigns launched by the British.
New York and New Jersey
In the summer of 1776, General William Howe and 30,000 British troops attacked and
defeated General George Washington's Continental forces in the Battle of Long Island.
Washington skillfully managed a narrow escape, retreating across the East River to
Manhattan Island. In September, General Howe landed about 12,000 men in lower
Manhattan, quickly taking control of New York City.
The failure of the Continental Army to hold New York strengthened Loyalist sentiment in the
region. Spirits were low among the Continental troops and popular support for the war was
wavering. Washington's army had dwindled to fewer than 5,000 men fit for duty and would
be significantly reduced after enlistments expired at the end of the year.
News of the capture of New York was favorably received in London, and General Howe was
awarded the Order of the Bath for his work. Combined with news of the recovery of Quebec,
circumstances suggested to British leaders that the war could soon be won. Britain
maintained control of New York City until the war ended in 1783, using it as a base for
operations elsewhere in North America.
Washington's army, pursued by the British crossed New Jersey, and withdrew across the
Delaware River intoPennsylvania in early December. On the evening of December 25, 1776,
Washington led his troops across the treacherous Delaware River once again to
ambush Hessiansoldiers guarding the British fort at Trenton. The Germansoldiers were
completely caught off guard and the Continental Army quickly triumphed at the Battle of
Trenton. This victory increased Patriot morale and recruitment.
In early January 1777, the British retook Trenton, suffering heavy casualties. Washington led
a strategic withdrawal from Trenton and advanced on Princeton. The Continental Army soon
expelled the British from Princeton. The British lost more than one quarter of their force in
this battle, and Patriot morale was further heightened.
These defeats persuaded General Howe to withdraw the majority of his troops from New
Jersey; outposts remained at New Brunswick and Perth Amboy. Having secured most of the
state of New Jersey, Washington entered winter quarters at Morristown.
The Americans suffered significant casualties and lost important supplies, but Washington
managed to retain the core of his army. With the bold strokes of Trenton and Princeton, he
had regained initiative and boosted morale.
General George Washington rallying his troops at the Battle of Princeton by William Ranney, 1848
Washington's victory at Princeton bolstered Patriot morale.