Revolutionary War Turning Point Essay

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1. Throughout the Revolutionary War, there were mainly four key turning points. To begin with, the first key turning took place at the Battle of Saratoga. Because of America’s victory at this battle, it granted America’s request to seek an alliance with France, dramatically changing the direction of the war entirely. Without the French’s support, the American’s would not have been able to have a successful war against the British. The Carolina campaign was another turning point during the Revolutionary War, not for the Patriots, but for the British. On May 12, 1780, British General Charles Cornwallis surrounded an American army in Charleston. Although Cornwallis was outnumbered, he still managed to defeat the American forces. The effects of …show more content…

The Articles of Confederation was vital for America’s government. It laid the foundations of the new national government and gave America a sense of political direction. The Confederation was also strategically important to the Treaty of Paris, as it concluded the agreement. However, the most important aspect of the Confederation government was the principles it established on land distribution. Because of the fair land distribution, it allowed the Americans to expand westward, mostly, conflict-free. While the Articles of Confederation did have its various strengths, it also had several weaknesses. One weakness of the Articles of the Confederation was the unanimous voting issue to revise it. Because of this issue, it became difficult to change the Articles for the better. Another issue of the Confederation was lack of resources. Since states did not provide sufficient contributions to Congress, they resorted to print paper money. As more and more paper money was printed, the value of it began to fall, which eventually, nearly bankrupted the new …show more content…

The United States’ declaration of war on Great Britain in 1812 puzzled many historians. Because representatives voted against the war with a vote of 20-12, many believed Madison would call off the war. However, because of its many causes such as the repeated violations of the United States’ shipping rights and the impressment of American sailors it began to overrule New England’s vote in Congress. Another conflict that led the Americans to declare war against Britain was the growing issue British-allied attacks in the Ohio Valley and their lust for Canada. Because Americans often took land from the Indians without permission it angered the Native Americans. But after William Henry Henderson, an old foe of Tecumseh, learned of his and his brother’s bold plans, he vowed to eliminate their tribes. During the fall of 1811, while his the leader was away, Henderson took advantage of his moment and defeated Tenskwatawa’s and his brother’s tribe. This put a temporary end to Native American-related attacks on the white settlers. Many Americans had a desire to acquire Canada because of the monopoly of fur trade with the Native Americans. Since the Americans believed the Canadians were vastly outnumbered, they argued that it would be “quick and easy” with their military forces. In the end, it was the representatives’ efforts known as the “War Hawks” who pressed the New England people for War that convinced Madison to declare war against

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