EE 2950 Chapter : February 23 The War For Independence
Document Summary
Choosing sides: tories and rebels, parliamentary prohibitory act forbids any british ships to trade with the colonies, colonial rhetoric, thomas paine"s common sense early 1776 devine right of kings is silly. What the colonists are fighting for is universal and will champion all men: jefferson"s (and franklin"s) declaration of independence - Strategy and fighting: odds were slim britain has a navy, no one has defeated england in over 100 years. British bring over 50,000 troops, 25,000 from england and 25,000 are hessian"s from. At the highest point the american army had about 17,000 men, most men are in their state militias. 250,000 white men fought for the americans during the eight years of fighting, about of the total white male population. Second turning point is the battle of saratoga, oct. 7, 1777. Third turning point is the battle of yorktown, oct. 19, 1781.
