Chapter by chapter summary of 1776. 1776 David Mccullough Chapter Summary Essay on American revolution, Book 2022-10-25

Chapter by chapter summary of 1776 Rating: 6,2/10 877 reviews

1776 is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book written by David McCullough, published in 2005. The book is a historical narrative of the events leading up to and during the American Revolutionary War, focusing specifically on the year 1776.

Chapter 1: The Bombardment of Boston

The book begins with a description of the city of Boston in 1775, which was occupied by British troops following the outbreak of hostilities between the colonies and the mother country. McCullough describes the tension and hostility between the colonists and the British soldiers, and how the situation came to a head on April 19, 1775, when the British fired on a group of colonists in Lexington, Massachusetts, killing eight of them. This event, known as the "shot heard round the world," marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

Chapter 2: The Continental Army

The second chapter of 1776 focuses on the formation of the Continental Army, which was created by the Continental Congress in June 1775 to fight against the British. The chapter describes how the army was initially poorly equipped and trained, and how George Washington was appointed as its commander-in-chief. The chapter also covers the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was fought on June 17, 1775, and resulted in a costly victory for the colonists.

Chapter 3: The Declaration of Independence

The third chapter of 1776 covers the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The chapter describes the political climate leading up to the drafting of the Declaration, as well as the debates and discussions that took place among the founding fathers as they worked on the document. The chapter also covers the reaction to the Declaration, both in the colonies and abroad, and how it became a rallying cry for the American Revolution.

Chapter 4: The Campaign of 1776

The fourth chapter of 1776 covers the military campaign of 1776, which saw the Continental Army suffer a series of defeats at the hands of the British. The chapter covers the Battle of Brooklyn, which was fought in August 1776 and resulted in a decisive victory for the British, as well as the Battle of White Plains and the Battle of Fort Washington, both of which were also won by the British. The chapter also covers the decision by Washington and the Continental Army to retreat to New Jersey and regroup.

Chapter 5: The Winter at Valley Forge

The fifth chapter of 1776 covers the winter of 1777, which the Continental Army spent at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The chapter describes the dire conditions faced by the soldiers at Valley Forge, including shortages of food, clothing, and medical supplies, as well as the high rate of disease and desertion. The chapter also covers the efforts of Washington and his officers to improve the army's training and morale, and the impact of these efforts on the army's eventual success in the war.

Chapter 6: The Turn of the Tide

The final chapter of 1776 covers the turning point of the Revolutionary War, which came in the summer of 1778 with the entry of France into the conflict on the side of the colonists. The chapter covers the impact of French assistance on the war, including the naval victories at the Battle of the Chesapeake and the Battle of Yorktown, as well as the role played by the Continental Army in these victories. The chapter also covers the negotiations for peace between the Americans and the British, which ultimately led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation.

1776 by David McCullough Plot Summary

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

The king's declaration produces conflicting reactions in Parliament, especially in the House of Commons, where those who sympathize with the American colonists sharply criticize the government's handling of the crisis. . For his part, General Howe seems also to have drastically underestimated what Washington and his men are capable of, causing him to make the mistake of not moving to seize Dorchester Heights first. On the same date, the Continental Congress declared independence from the British Empire. McCullough talks about the paltry and considerable wars and Premium American Revolutionary War Rhetorical Analysis Of You Are Not Special By David Mccullough obsessing with the end results and with what we get out of everything that we do. Washington understood that what lies ahead would be difficult, considering he would be facing the most powerful country in world.

Next

1776 Chapter Summaries

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

Notice, also, that the American army is divided along regional lines, so that even Washington himself is biased against soldiers from certain colonies. As the year comes to an end, many American soldiers have the opportunity to leave the army. The British commanders began to quarrel between one another and so they became weaker. There, he speaks with his officers and corresponds with the other colonies. Notice, also, that Greene is an admirer of John Locke, the English philosopher whose theories were an important inspiration for Thomas Jefferson and the other Founding Fathers.


Next

1776 Chapter 1: Sovereign Duty Summary & Analysis

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

. The colonies became more reluctant in sending their troops to America and chose to keep them closer to home. For a man of his background, the democratic and egalitarian aspects of the New Englanders he commands are a bit distasteful and seem to be of a piece with the overall lack of discipline. George Washington resides in a mansion near Harvard University. He and his men spend one night building strong fortifications there. Like most English lords of the era, he enjoyed hunting, and perfected his riding skills while hunting foxes. Here, McCullough emphasizes what effect troop morale has on the overall successes of an army.

Next

1776 Chapter 4: The Lines are Drawn Summary & Analysis

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

Washington calls for more troops from Manhattan but a storm that starts in that night prevents any more British vessels from arriving. Overall, 1776 is a great book that provides a detailed look at the American Revolution. He grew up in Boston, where he learned how to play the fife a small flute —a skill that allows him to stay with the army for free, earning eight dollars a month to play for the soldiers. On July 14, the British army sends Washington a letter and he later meets with Captain James Paterson who tells him that the British Empire is willing to forgive everyone who got involved in the war but Washington refuses. George Washington fears for his army and in a letter to Joseph Reed Washington confesses that he feels he should have never agreed to lead the American army. As Knox is leading his men out to Fort Ticonderoga, the weather gets colder.

Next

1776 Part 1 Chapter 1 Summary

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

General Howe also doesn't seem to have much interest in Washington's military strategy, which hints at a hubris that will ultimately undermine him. He got a degree from Yale as well. With the exception of Greene, few American soldiers feel a strong desire to break away from British rule altogether—contrary to what George III claimed in October 1775. George Washington was born in Virginia in 1732, the great-grandson of John Washington, an English emigrant, and the son of Augustine Washington, a tobacco planter who died when Washington was a boy. Evacuating the city is a considerable undertaking: not only does General Howe have to get his entire army—and all their arms, baggage, horses, and other supplies—aboard the ships of the Royal Navy floating at anchor, he has to accommodate the sizable number of American Loyalists who sought refuge with the British army from their rebellious countrymen outside the city walls. When he arrives in New York, Washington recruits five divisions of soldiers.


Next

1776 Summary

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

His troops are inexperienced and disorganized. As the fall of 1775 turns to winter, men begin to desert, and the prospect of many soldiers departing when their enlistments end in January is cause for dismay. During this period problems in foreign and domestic affairs were dealt with by the fledgling government. In September 20, a fire breaks in New York and burns down a big part of the city. Washington decided to attack the British on Christmas Day when he receives a letter from Joseph Reed and despite being behind schedule on the day of the attack, Washington and his army continues to advance towards the British troops.

Next

1776 David Mccullough Chapter Summary Essay on American revolution, Book

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

Some Members of Parliament were skeptical about sending those troops because they thought it would be a long war. On April 22, two dead soldiers are discovered in a brothel and the army lashes out, burning the brothel to the ground. The Loyalist plotters are found and brought to trial, but only one of them is sentenced to death. At the time, Fox is a young man, but already a great thinker and orator. On October 12, Washington tells his troops to retreat north when the British advance too much towards them.


Next

1776 Chapter 2: Rabble in Arms Summary & Analysis

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

This is no easy feat, however, as In February, impatient for action, Washington calls his war council to renew the case for an attack on Boston, but he is dissuaded. It outlines the leaders of the army and a few who were representing the colonies. They hatched a special attack to catch the enemies off-guard in Trenton, New Jersey the morning after Christmas. At the end of September, it does. Later that day, Washington learns that the British are sailing to New York from Halifax. It is a display of power and wealth the likes of which the world rarely sees, as if "the very grandeur, wealth, and weight of the British Empire were rolling past. He also takes meetings with visiting politicians and dignitaries, hoping to curry favor and win additional funds for his army.

Next

Chapter summary 1776 david mccullough Free Essays

chapter by chapter summary of 1776

On May 16, Knox sends a letter encouraging the Continental Congress to declare independence from Britain. However, this has never been proven. Dorchester would likely not have gone as well as it did, for example, had Washington not heeded the advice of his generals to not invade Boston at large. This book focuses on the key players and events that led up to and took place during the critical year of 1776, when the colonies declared their independence from England and became the United States of America. By April of 1776, Washington and his troops have marched into New York. Washington orders the troops at Fort Lee to flee and he takes the remaining army to New Jersey.

Next