David McCullough, 1776, New York, Simon & Schuster, 2005. 386 Many people view the year 1776 as the year in which the colonists finally became united under a common belief, independence from Great Britain, and that it was the year of American greatness. While that is true in some regards, many people do not understand the trials and tribulations the American army faced that first year. McCullough, through his writing in the book, 1776, is able to describe another outlook of that year. The idea, not of American greatness, but one of the suffering, loss, and the doubt that plagued many in the army that first year. McCullough’s main points in the first part of the book mainly focus on the differences between the American army and the British …show more content…
Once there, they constructed what they thought to be a strong defense/fortifications throughout the colony, in places like Long Island and Brooklyn. The British arrived in August, and they quickly proved that the American’s defenses were no match for the power of British weaponry or the skill of their army. The Americans had no choice but to retreat under the cover of darkness out of Long Island and Brooklyn. The Americans faced a great deal of casualties. These losses were a crushing blow to the army’s overall morale, and had many questioning the ability of their leader, George Washington. Washington was even beginning to doubt himself. By the end of November, the British were able to completely push the Americans out of New York for good after American losses at Kips Bay and the British capture of Fort Washington. What was left of the humiliated American army fled to Pennsylvania. The British army, thinking the war was all but won, decided on a ceasefire until the spring of 1777. They then settled in New York while also placing Hessian troops throughout New …show more content…
Unlike many nonfiction authors who use a dry and almost omnipotent style of writing, McCullough uses a conversational tone that makes the book easier to read and comprehend. Instead of feeling like the author is throwing all this information at the reader, he writes as if he is telling it like a story that keeps a reader wanting more. As if the descriptions McCullough uses are not enough to picture what it was like during this time in history, he includes different sections of pictures throughout the book, such as portraits of George Washington, Nathanael Greene, and Henry Knox. He also includes a variety of maps from the time period these include maps from the battles of Boston, Brooklyn, and Trenton. By McCullough including these images, the reader is then able to have an understanding of the lay of the land during the battles described in the
When the british army won the battle of long island and took control of New York, Washington knew it was
David McCullough, in his Quill award winning book 1776, takes readers on a 294-page journey, which provides a vivid description of how Virginian born General George Washington became the first commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and led them to victory against the British Red Coat Army commanded by General Howe, in the year of the American’s Declaration of Independence. McCullough, a Pulitzer award winning writer, diverts from his renowned biography writing of major historical figures such as John Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harry Truman, to focus on the war and politics that shaped the most important year in America’s long and storied history in his book 1776. The book 1776 is said to be a companion piece to its predecessor John
On the morning of December 26, 1776, General George Washington would conduct an offensive operation against the three Hessian regiments who were wintering their forces in the town of Trenton, New Jersey. Although this engagement would not cause any significant material or troop damage to the British Army; it would have a lasting impact by being the battle that legitimized the Continental Army as being capable of facing a superiorly trained and equipped enemy whilst maintaining minimal loses. The battle’s aftermath was a result of General Washington’s ability to take advantage of key terrain and the poor quality of Hessian defenses, by utilizing the element of surprise through weather and terrain, and the Hessians inability to recognize the
It provides insight into a very important period in American history. For those who do not like history or this period of history, this memoir will be dull and the reader will most likely dread reading it and give
The book 1776 of David McCullough is very interesting history book. It took you back to the most relevant history time of American history of 1776. The book captures your attention with well-written narrative and format. The New york Times reviewed the book as “ the book is nonetheless a stirring and timely work, reminding us that it is soldiers rather than tavern patriots and windy politicians who have always paid the price of American idealism and determined successes” in 2005. David McCullough is a native Pennsylvanian.
During the late 1700s, when an emergence of increased nationalism in the American colonies brought forth the need for independence, the majority of American citizens found themselves torn between a deep-rooted loyalty to Mother Britain and the promise of liberties they had ever since been denied. Despite the fact that they had been refused before, some still insisted upon fruitless negotiation with the obstinate King George III. Others, however, argued in favor of war against the tyrant. One prominent political figure and skilled orator, Patrick Henry, contended that American independence was imperative to the rights and liberties of men, and that war was the only solution to their ever-growing problem. At the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond, he addressed the President of the assembly, Peyton Randolph, and other members in an attempt to convince those who were still irresolute on the issue.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. Perhaps the most famous line from the Declaration of Independence, written on July 4, 1776. 1776 by David McCullough is about just that: the year 1776, though it does mention events in previous and following years, in American history. McCullough’s purpose for writing the book is very clear: to educate readers about the details of the American Revolutionary War from the view of both sides in and around 1776. McCullough achieves this through mostly logos, but uses ethos and pathos just as well.
It was an excellent move on Washington’s part because the British did not even see it coming. The American Colonists were at an advantage. And because of Washington’s move they won the victory. Then everyone knew that George Washington was a terrific military leader. Furthermore, historians have pointed out that because of Washington’s victory he was most definitely going to lead his army into another battle, The Battle of Princeton (militaryhistory.com).
Lawyer and politician, Patrick Henry in his speech, “Give me Liberty Or Give Me Death” (March 23, 1775), explains that he give this plea to urge the old dominion to form militias to defend itself against British. He supports his claim by first using a religious reference to express the themes of freedom, equality, and independence. Then uses a selection of other strategies like rhetorical question and allusion to disprove the opposing arguments and clarify the point he is making. Patrick Henry purpose is to fight back and he wants other to fight with him in order for independence. He creates a powerful and commanding tone for the second Virginia convention.
The American Revolution was the first war to drive each side to research and develop new medicines, weapons and battle strategies. This was the bloodiest war of its time and it drove each side to try new things. The war drove the two sides to reach the pinnacle of technological advances. The Revolutionary War was a war with many battles between the Colonials and the British to determine the freedom of the colonies. Each side had various advantages and disadvantages as well as tactics new to both sides which is why this is the war that set the technological and strategical hurdle for all wars.
An attempt at an attack would be extremely risky. Embarking in another attack so soon after the detrimental loss in New York had two possible outcomes; a win, resulting in increased morale and support for the Continental Army, or another loss, most likely resulting in a consummation of any support remaining for the Continental Army. He chose option two and assembled his men that cold December night to prepare for a stealthy attack on the town of Trenton, NJ. Washington was successful in his endeavor, regaining the trust of the Colonists and eventually rebuilding the Army. If not for the tactical expertise and a slew of unprecedented events leading up to the Battle of Trenton the Continental Army would not have proclaimed success in the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey, causing the Army to dissolve, awarding victory to the British, balking the formation of the United
Furthermore, the American Hero begins by raising the question throughout the poem of “why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of death and destruction in the field of battle?”, this already gives it the haunting feeling of how
Fischer starts “Washington’s Crossing” by stating the initial challenges and failures that the American’s and Washington in particular had to face at the time. After the British were pushed from Boston, many believed that they had won the war and that was the end of the revolution. However, Washington knew that it wasn’t over and that there was more to come and that it wasn’t going to be a simple
The Second Continental Congress declared that the 13 colonies were marked independent from Britain. However, the American Revolution continued because the British did not want to have the American colonies taken away from them. On September 19, 1777 and October 7, 1777, the Battles of Saratoga were fought and it marked a turning point for the Revolutionary War. After both of these battles occurred, John Burgoyne, who was the British commander, surrendered to the American troops. Another major event of the American Revolution was when the Treaty of Paris was signed, which ended the American Revolutionary War.
Glory: Directed by Edward Zwick, Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, 1989. 122 Minutes Reviewed by Mike Edward Zwick’s Glory is a movie in which the balance between entertainment and history was perfectly managed. He uses the letters sent by contemporary Col. Robert G. Shaw to his wealthy family back in Massachusetts as the historical foundation of the movie while imagining conversations between characters. Through Col. Shaw’s eye, we are able to uncover the birth, the development, and the end of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first colored regiment fought in Civil War. Just like any other war movie, Glory has several battle scenes that were unpleasantly bloody, yet they managed to stay authentic.