Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Joseph Brant (Thayendagea)

Accepted Answer

Joseph Brant, also known as Thayendanegea, was a prominent Mohawk leader and warrior who lived from 1743 to 1807. He was born in the Ohio Country, which was then part of the British Empire, and later moved to the Mohawk Valley in present-day New York.

Brant played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War, initially fighting on the side of the British. He led Mohawk and other Iroquois warriors in numerous battles against the American colonists, earning a reputation as a skilled military strategist.

After the war, Brant worked to secure land and rights for his people. He traveled to England to advocate for the Iroquois and other Native American tribes, and he was successful in securing a land grant for the Mohawk in Canada.

Brant's legacy is complex. While he was a respected leader and diplomat, he also faced criticism for his alliances with the British and his role in the displacement of Native peoples. Nevertheless, he remains an important figure in Native American history, known for his efforts to protect the rights and lands of his people during a tumultuous and challenging period.

Question 2

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Continental Army

Accepted Answer

The Continental Army was the military force established by the Second Continental Congress in June 1775, during the American Revolutionary War. This army was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in their revolt against the rule of Great Britain. The army was initially led by General George Washington, who was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief on June 15, 1775.

The significance of the Continental Army lies in its role as the first unified American fighting force capable of conducting a full-scale war against the British. Prior to its establishment, each colony had its own militia made up of part-time citizen-soldiers, and these local militias were often ill-equipped and lacked the training necessary to conduct large-scale military operations.

Throughout the war, the Continental Army fought against British forces and their allies, engaging in numerous battles such as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Siege of Boston, the Battle of Saratoga, and the Siege of Yorktown. The latter, which took place in 1781, was a decisive victory for the Continental Army and is often considered the end of major combat operations in the war.

The Continental Army was disbanded in 1783 after the Treaty of Paris was signed, which officially ended the war and recognized the independence of the United States. The legacy of the Continental Army is significant as it not only played a crucial role in the United States gaining independence, but it also set the foundation for the United States Army, which was established by the Congress of the Confederation on June 3, 1784.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Hessians

Accepted Answer

Hessians refer to the German troops from the small German states of Hesse-Cassel and Hesse-Hanau that were hired by Great Britain to fight during the American Revolutionary War. They were named after the region of Hesse, from which most of these soldiers originated. The use of Hessians was a result of Britain's difficulty in recruiting its own soldiers to suppress the rebellion in the American colonies.

The British government contracted with German princes for the services of their troops, a common practice in European wars at the time. The Hessians made up a significant portion of the British forces in North America, with around 30,000 Hessian soldiers serving over the course of the war. They first arrived in 1776 and were involved in many major battles, including the Battle of Trenton, the Battle of Saratoga, and the Siege of Charleston.

The Hessians were professional soldiers who served in a military capacity for the British in exchange for payment to their home states. Their presence in the American Revolutionary War was significant for several reasons:

1. **Military Impact**: The Hessians were well-trained and disciplined troops, which bolstered the British military effort against the American Continental Army and various militias.

2. **Political Impact**: The use of foreign mercenaries by the British was controversial and helped to galvanize American public opinion against British rule. The American patriots used the presence of Hessians as propaganda, arguing that the British were willing to use foreign mercenaries to oppress the colonists.

3. **Cultural Impact**: The Hessians' interactions with American civilians led to cultural exchanges, and after the war, some Hessian soldiers chose to stay in America, contributing to the cultural diversity of the United States.

One of the most famous incidents involving Hessians was the surprise attack by American forces led by General George Washington on the morning of December 26, 1776, known as the Battle of Trenton. After crossing the Delaware River, Washington's troops took the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey, by surprise, capturing nearly 1,000 prisoners. This victory was a significant morale booster for the American cause.

After the war, some Hessians remained in the United States, either because they were unable to return to their homelands, they were enticed by land offers, or they had formed attachments during their time in America. The legacy of the Hessians is a complex one, as they were both respected for their military prowess and criticized for their role as foreign mercenaries fighting against American independence.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Abigail Adams

Accepted Answer