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.