Objective: To examine the strengths and weaknesses
of the Continental and British armies.
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The Continental Army had many problems and few advantages.
However, the Continentals did have at least one important advantage.
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Making an Analogy: Use the current (2009) standings from the Pacific
division of the NBA to figure out what major advantage the Continental
Army enjoyed during the Revolutionary War. Make a comparison!
TEAM
Phoenix
L.A. Clippers
Golden State
ROAD
3
13-2
3-1
7
7-0
8-7
9
11
8-3
1-8
9
12
6-7
3-5
6
14
4-5
2-9
16
15
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HOME
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L.A. Lakers
Sacramento
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“Nothing can be more hurtful
to the service, than the neglect
of discipline; for that discipline,
more than numbers, gives one
army the superiority over
another.”
-GEORGE WASHINGTON
July 6, 1777
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Continental Army
Disadvantages
- no navy
- untrained soldiers
- few cannons and little gunpowder
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The rifle took a long time to load, compared to the musket. By
the time a soldier forced his rifle ball down the barrel, the
enemy could get him with a bayonet. Their rifles had no
bayonet, a necessity for fighting at close range, or in damp
weather when wet flints and gunpowder made firearms
useless. Because of these disadvantages, the musket remained
the primary weapon used during the Revolutionary War.
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Continental Army
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Advantages
c.
- fighting for their homes and freedom
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- leadership of George Washington
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British Army
Advantages
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- highly trained, experienced soldiers
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- plentiful weapons and supplies
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- most powerful navy in the world
Year
1778
1779
1780
1781
1782
Naval Strength: Allies vs. Britain
Total
French Spanish Dutch American
British
Allied
52
—
—
0
52
66
63
58
—
0
121
90
69
48
—
0
117
95
70
54
13
0
137
94
73
54
19
0
146
94
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British Army
Disadvantages
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- the war was fought
far from home
- less reasons to fight
hard
- risked constant
attack
"General Marion Inviting a British
Officer to Share His Meal", by John
Blake White
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A brief history of General Francis Marion, or the Swamp Fox. He is
considered to be one of the fathers of modern guerilla warfare. (3:13)
Battle of Bunker Hill – video (2:24)
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• Occurred on Breeds
Hill on June 17, 1775.
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• The Patriots were short on
gunpowder and were warned
by Colonel William Prescott,
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“Don’t fire till you see the
whites of their eyes!”
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• The British won the battle, but lost over 1,000 troops.
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• This battle showed Britain that the Patriots would
not be an easy enemy.