Bernardo de Galvez - Revolutionary War
Standards:
1. History. The student understands the impact of significant national and international
decisions and conflicts during the American Revolutionary War.
2. Geography. The student understands the impact of geographic factors on major events.
3. Social studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use
information acquired from a variety of valid sources, including electronic technology.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to develop an appreciation of the sacrifices service members
endure for love of country and the character it takes to be a good citizen and successful
soldier.
2. The students will be able to gain greater appreciation and understanding of the
contributions/roles Hispanic Americans have made in formation of our nation.
3. The students will be able to articulate the contributions of Bernardo de Galvez during the
Revolutionary War.
Subject Matter: heroism, colony, revolution, ally, infantry
Materials:
 Handout: Bernardo de Galvez Timeline
 Handout: Hispanic Heritage Month Puzzle
 Media: Bernardo de Galvez: http://www.v-nep.org/national-hispanic-heritagemonth.html
Procedure:
Set:
 Ask students if any other countries stepped to help the colonists fight the British
during the Revolutionary War? If so, which countries?
 Essential Question: How did Bernardo de Galvez help the colonial effort
during the Revolutionary War?
Media:
1. Students will view the short film clip about Bernardo de Galvez.
2. Students will be asked to take notes on this film that will later be used for
classroom activities and discussion.
Discussion:
1. Where was Galvez born?
2. How did Galvez support the colonial efforts against the British when he was
the Governor of New Orleans?
3. After France sent military support to the colonists, Galvez led troops from
which country against the British?
4. Galvez defeated the British in the South and helped assure a colonial victory.
After the Revolution, and as a result of Galvez’s efforts, Spain regained which
territory?
Activity:
1. The teacher will review the context of Galvez’s contributions within a group
of individuals with Hispanic heritage who have contributed to the American
military and defense of our country. This can be done as a lecture where all
the answers of the puzzle are presented to the students OR as a computer lab
research activity.
2. Handout puzzle for students to complete
3. Review answers as a large group.
Close: Ask students to explain how Galvez helped the colonists during the
Revolutionary War?
Assessment:
1. The teacher will informally observe the students taking notes from the movie.
2. The teacher will formally assess student as to the completion of the puzzle.
3. The teacher will informally assess student understanding during the large group
discussion.
Bernardo De Galvez, Viceroy of New Spain, 1746-1786
1746 Born on July 23, 1746, in Macharaviaya, in the state of Málaga, Spain,
1762 Military Career From a military family, Bernardo entered the military. In 1762 he
served as a lieutenant in a war with Portugal.
1762 Paso de Gálvez named after him.
Bernado campaigned against the Apache in the southwest and the Paso de Gálvez was
given to a crossing on the Pecos River where he defeated the Apaches.
1772 Furthering his military career Galvez Returns To Spain
From 1772-1775, Bernardo was stationed in France he enrolled in the Regiment of
Cantabria becoming fluent in French
1775 Return to Spain and the Regiment of Seville
In 1775, he returned to Spain where he participated in a failed attack on Algiers where he
was wounded.
1776 Louisiana
In 1776 was assigned to the Province of Louisiana and appointed a colonel of the
Louisiana Regiment.
1777 Governor of Louisiana
Bernardo De Galvez, Viceroy of New Spain, 1746-1786
1779 Spain Declares War
General Galvez sent gunpowder, rifles, bullets, blankets, medicine and other supplies to
the armies of General George Washington and General George Rogers Clark. On June
21, 1779, Spain declares war against Great Britian. In support of the American colonies
Galvez conducts a campaign against the British along the Mississippi River and the Gulf
Coast. He raised an army in New Orleans and drove the British out of the Gulf of
Mexico. General Galvez captured five British forts in the Lower Mississippi Valley.
1779 Manchac, Baton Rouge, and Natchez
During the Fall of 1779 Galvez defeated the British in battles at Manchac, Baton Rouge,
and Natchez. This action preoccupies the British and provides relief for the American
colonies engaged in the war for independence. The next year on March 14, 1780,
Gálvez, captured the British Fort Charlotte at Mobile. They also repelled a British and
Indian attack in St. Louis, Missouri and captured the British fort of St. Joseph in presentday Niles, Michigan
1781 Attack on the Pennsacola
In 1781, Galvez directed a joint land-sea takes Pensacola, the British capital of West
Florida. It took over a month before Fort George in Pensacola was captured.
1783 Galvez Recognized by America
These victories were largely responsible for the British cession of both East and West
Florida to Spain in the peace settlement of 1783. In Spain (1783-84) he was richly
rewarded for his services, being made count of Gálvez, After the American War of
Independence he was cited by the American Congress for his help during the conflict.
1785 The New Viceroy of Spain
After his father’s death he succeed took over his position as viceroy of New Spain early
in 1785.
1785 Galveston
While Bernardo de Galvez was viceroy of Spain, he ordered for a survey of the Gulf
Coast. His mapmaker then named the biggest bay on the Texas coast, Bahía de
Galvezton. This name was later changed to Galveston.
1786 Bernardo de Galvez died on November 30.
Name:________________________
Date:________________________
Hispanic Heritage Month Crossword Puzzle
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Across:
2 - The Name of the Hispanic Naval Hero of the
Civil War
5 - The US Army 65th Infantry that distinquished
itself in Korea called themselves the
7 - What was the nickname of the 201 Mexican
fighter squadron
8 - This minority group has received more Medal
of Honor than any other minority group
9 - The SouthWest of the United States had at one
time been part of
10 - Bernardo de Galvez was Governor of the
Spanish Colony of ___________
11 - Guy_______was a Mexican AMerican of Hero
of World War II who was raised by a Japanese
American family
12 - The only Latino to receive the Medal of Honor
during the war in Afghanistan
13 - The first Latino to receive the Medal of Honor
Down:
1 - Bernardo de Galves defeated the______ Forces
during the American Revolutionary War
2 - The only Latino Medal of Honor recipient
during World War I
3 - This Texan Earned his Medal of Honor as a
member of the 5th Special Forces During the
Vietnam War west of Loc Ninh on May2, 1968
4 - The largest ethnic minority group in the United
States are of___origin
6 - The City of Galveston, Texas is name after what
Latino leader?