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      7. The American War of Independence (1775–1783) - Research Activities
 
 
                         The Battle of Saratoga in 1777
 

   

  1. Read about the main aspects of the Battle of Saratoga at this site or this site.
    Also watch this film.
Why has the battle been described as the turning point in the war?

                            (Remember to list the sources you use in your research.)
           

2. Research the role played by Margaret Kemble Gage during the American war of Independence. 3. Find out about the story of Molly Pitcher. Record about eight key points about her background and actions in the battle and find a different illustration of her exploits and paste it in your workbook.





 

The Revolutionary War Weapons

4. a) Name, describe and provide illustrations for the most common weapons used during the American war of Independence.

   b) What was the most commonly used rifle? What bullets were used? How were these made? How was the rifle loaded, and and how did the firing mechanism work.  Include a labeled diagram.
Watch the firing of the musket at the start of this video.
5. What parts did Native Americans play in the American Revolutionary Wars?

Medical treatments common during the Revolutionary war

6. Write two fictionalised diary entries that describe battle field medical treatments common during the Revolutionary war.

Include accurate historic details from information you can find by researching the common medical practices of this time.

This covers the fight against Small Pox at Valley Forge

    
The Army of Occupation: A page of a letter written by a British soldier from Charleston,
         South Carolina, in the spring of 1781
 
I wish our ministry could send us a Hercules to conquer these obstinate Americans, whose aversion to the cause of Britain grows stronger every day.

If you go into company with any of them occasionally they are barely civil, and that is, as Jack Falstaff says, by compulsion. They are in general sullen, silent and thoughtful. The King's health they dare not refuse, but they drink it in such a manner as if they expected it would choke them.

The assemblies which the officers have opened, in hopes to give an air of gaiety and cheerfulness to themselves and the inhabitants, are but dull and gloomy meetings; the men play at cards, indeed, to avoid talking, but the women are seldom or never to be persuaded to dance.

Even in their dresses the females seem to bid us defiance; the gay toys which are imported here they despise; they wear their own homespun manufactures, and take care to have in their breasts knots, and even on their shoes something that resembles their flag of the thirteen stripes.

An officer told Lord Cornwallis not long ago, that he believed if he had destroyed all the men in North America, we should have enough to to to conquer the women. I am heartily tired of this country, and wish myself at home.

http: //www.historyhome.co.uk/c-eight/america.htm

7. a) After discussing this document, describe what it was like for many young British soldiers living in the American colonies at that time; When the British soldiers were viewed by many Americans by then, as an unwelcome and foreign occupying army.

                                                                      
8. (Assessment/Grade Task)
You are a young colonist, and have been fighting in George Washington's army of patriots to throw off British rule.

Your favorite cousin in England though, has written to you, and is unhappy and shocked that you are fighting with these rebels who are killing British soldiers.

Write a letter back to your cousin, explaining why you have sided with Washington's revolutionary forces, and are fighting against the English soldiers and their allies. ( font: Blackadder ITC, size:36, background: google/image search 'parchment'- right click 'save picture as', select 'page layout'/'page colour'/'fill effect'/'picture'/'select picture 'from where you saved it.)
 
Before you begin, read through this brief page of discussion points.

In your letter, to help explain your point of view, and why you are fighting to gain your country's independence, also quote some words from the Declaration of Independence.

Notice in their Declaration of Independence, the list of complaints they made, about the way the colonists had been treated by the British and their King, George III.

These links will give you a detailed or simple overview, of what the colonist's leaders wrote in their Declaration of Independence from England.
           Declaration of Independence
 

 

  Artists impression of Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson working on the Declaration.    The drafting committee presenting its work to the Congress