Congress was looking for a commander who had firsthand experience in combat.
Re write it
Congress sought a commander with direct combat experience
2 answers
Objective: To examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Continental and British armies.
“Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON July 6, 1777Continental Army Disadvantages
- no navy
- untrained soldiers
- few cannons and little gunpowder
The rifle took a long time to load, compared to the musket. By the time a soldier forced his rifle ball down the barrel, the enemy could get him with a bayonet. Their rifles had no bayonet, a necessity for fighting at close range, or in damp weather when wet flints and gunpowder made firearms useless. Because of these disadvantages, the musket remained the primary weapon used during the Revolutionary War.
Continental Army
Advantages
- fighting for their homes and freedom
- leadership of George Washington
British Army
Advantages
- highly trained, experienced soldiers
- plentiful weapons and supplies
- most powerful navy in the world
Naval Strength: Allies vs. Britain
Year
French
Spanish
Dutch
American
Total Allied
British
1778
52
—
—
0
52
66
1779
63
58
—
0
121
90
1780
69
48
—
0
117
95
1781
70
54
13
0
137
94
1782
73
54
19
0
146
94British Army
--
British Army Disadvantages
the war was fought far from home
- less reasons to fight hard
- risked constant attack
• Occurred on Breeds Hill on June 17, 1775.The Patriots were short on gunpowder and were warned by Colonel William Prescott,
Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!”
The British won the battle, but lost over 1,000 troops.
• This battle showed Britain that the Patriots would not be an easy enemy
“Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON July 6, 1777Continental Army Disadvantages
- no navy
- untrained soldiers
- few cannons and little gunpowder
The rifle took a long time to load, compared to the musket. By the time a soldier forced his rifle ball down the barrel, the enemy could get him with a bayonet. Their rifles had no bayonet, a necessity for fighting at close range, or in damp weather when wet flints and gunpowder made firearms useless. Because of these disadvantages, the musket remained the primary weapon used during the Revolutionary War.
Continental Army
Advantages
- fighting for their homes and freedom
- leadership of George Washington
British Army
Advantages
- highly trained, experienced soldiers
- plentiful weapons and supplies
- most powerful navy in the world
Naval Strength: Allies vs. Britain
Year
French
Spanish
Dutch
American
Total Allied
British
1778
52
—
—
0
52
66
1779
63
58
—
0
121
90
1780
69
48
—
0
117
95
1781
70
54
13
0
137
94
1782
73
54
19
0
146
94British Army
--
British Army Disadvantages
the war was fought far from home
- less reasons to fight hard
- risked constant attack
• Occurred on Breeds Hill on June 17, 1775.The Patriots were short on gunpowder and were warned by Colonel William Prescott,
Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!”
The British won the battle, but lost over 1,000 troops.
• This battle showed Britain that the Patriots would not be an easy enemy