Advantages vs. Disadvantages in the American Revolution

The final test of 2017 is scheduled for Thursday, December 21. Students will need to be in class for the test as this will be a different (and fun) type of assessment. IF a student is absent, an alternate form of assessment will be posted to complete and send in via email. I plan to have this available by Friday.

For Thursday, be prepared to hold a conversation with your classmates regarding the advantages and disadvantages of both sides of the American Revolution. Use the notes from today's class to help prepare. A summary of the notes follows:

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Patriots Advantages:

• they were defending their land and their freedom

• they knew the land well

• they fought "guerrilla warfare" style (anything goes)

• Sons of Liberty and Committees of Correspondence helped plan and spread news

• 5,000 Africans served as soldiers, ship builders and pilots

• The French and Spanish came to help towards the end

Patriots Disadvantages:

• supplies like gunpowder, weapons, clothing, and food were hard to get

• no navy in the beginning

• inexperienced at fighting and military strategy

• no uniforms

• people thought they had no chance of winning

British Advantages

• had formal military training

• had a huge supply of weapons and ammunition

• were considered the best army in the world at the time

• had a large navy with warships

• hired 30,000 German trained killers (Hessians)

• Iroquois Confederacy (six indian tribes) joined the fight

• Fancy uniforms and equipment

British Disadvantages

• their REDCOATS were very easy to see and stood out

• they did not know the land very well

• fighting style was to stand and march in straight lines beating a drum loudly

• it was very expensive and slow to get supplies from England

• they began to wonder if the cost (both money and soldiers) was even worth the fight