READING TEST
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: AN UNLIKELY VICTORY
Answer each question by referring to the reading. While there is no need to answer in complete
sentences, make sure you answer each question completely. You are expected to read the entire
article; these questions reflect the high points and important events/people. Learn them well, for
you will hear of them again.
 Questions marked by *** indicate items of extreme importance.
 Notice the following trends (you may need these for future essays):
1. The role of Native Americans during the Revolution
2. The role of slaves during the Revolution.
3. Washington’s problems with troop mutiny.
4. The different personalities of the war in the North and the war in the South.
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1. What is the significance of the Battle of Trenton?
2. Who is John Paul Jones? (no, not the bass player for Led Zeppelin)
3. Why did British military planners change their strategy after their losses at Trenton and
Princeton?
4. What was this change?
5. What were the assignments given John Burgoyne and William Howe in this new
strategy?
6. How did Howe execute his part of the strategy?
SARATOGA CAMPAIGN
7. Who was Barry St. Leger, and happened to him at the Battle of Oriskany?
8. What was the outcome of the Battle of Bennington?
9. What was the significance of the American victory at Saratoga?
10. Who were the victorious American generals?
11. How did the French respond to the American victory?
12. Who was the Marquis de Lafayette?
13. What were the Articles of Confederation/
14. Under the Articles, what are the roles of and relationships between the national and state
governments?
15. What occurred at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778?
16. What were the provisions of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and Treaty of Alliance?
17. What was the effect of the American struggle for independence on the size and scope of
Britain’s foreign struggles?
18. What were the effects on British resources and money after France enters the war in
1778?
19. Who was Baron von Steuben, and what was his contribution to the American cause?
20. Why was Henry Clinton named to succeed Howe?
21. What was the outcome of the Battle of Monmouth?
22. What was Benjamin Franklin’s role in the American wartime government?
23. Why did the British decide to switch their theater of operations from north to south?
24. What is the significance of the Spanish declaration of war on England as it relates to the
Americans?
25. Why did John Paul Johns utter ‘I have not yet begun to fight!” in his battle with an
English frigate off the coast of England? (The frigate was the Bon Homme Richard)
26. What happened to the Ranger after this battle?
27. What was John Adams’ role in the American wartime government?
28. What was the worst American defeat of the war? In what theater (northern, southern, or
western) does this occur?
29. In the northern theater of the war, Washington is suffering from problem with his army.
What occurred on 25 May 1780 that exemplified this problem? (HINT: IT also occurred
on 17 October 1779)
30. What was the primary reason for the 25 May incident?
31. On June 11 1780 Massachusetts became the first colony to pass a constitution declaring
what?
32. What happened to Horatio Gates (the hero of Saratoga) on 13 June 1780?
33. What position did Benedict Arnold (the other hero of Saratoga) assume on 3 August
1780?
34. Who was John Andre, and what about his situation caused Arnold to flee West Point?
35. Why was Nathanial Greene named commander of the Southern Army?
36. What strategy did Greene employ that frustrated and ultimately wore down Cornwallis’
army?
37. Who was the American commander at the Battle of Cowpens, and which British general
did he defeat?
38. 38. What was the effect of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on Cornwallis’s strategy?
39. What happened on 20 July 1781 in Williamsburg, Virginia?
40. What was Cornwallis’ intention when establishing a base on the Yorktown Peninsula?
41. Who was the Count de Grasse, and what was the significance of his victory at the Battle
of the Virginia Capes?
42. What was the name of the tune played by the British band upon surrendering Yorktown?
The selection of this tune was chosen for its irony; in your opinion what is ironic about
it?
43. Why did American militiamen massacre Delaware Indians on 7 March 1782?
44. Why did French officials protest the American-British peace talks?
45. Who was Joseph Brant, and why was he feared along the Pennsylvania and Kentucky
frontier?
46. What happened in the final battle of the Revolutionary War?
47. What did Franklin prevent with his diplomatic response to French objections over the
American-British peace?
48. What was the Newburgh Conspiracy, and what was the cause for it?
49. Why did Congress abandon Philadelphia on 24 June 1783, two years after the British
surrender at Yorktown?
50. On 8 July 1783 Massachusetts became the first state to do what?
51. How did the state of Virginia reward slaves who served in the Continental Army?