The American Revolution

Part 2, 1776

Discussion Questions

  1. Why did John Adams' decision to support George Washington as the Commander and Chief of the newly formed Continental help to unite the New England states with the southern states?

  2. What was Benedict Arnold's plan to obtain heavy artillery? Did he succeed? Was he an effective general?

  3. What did George Washington do with the canons Arnold, Allen, and Knox had brought from Ticonderoga? Why was the victory over Boston an illusory victory?

  4. In September of 1775, Benedict Arnold led 1100 troops up the Kennebec River through the wilderness of Maine to Quebec. What made that march so difficult? How did Arnold save his men along the way? Did he succeed in capturing Quebec?

  5. Why is the Declaration of Independence one of the most important documents in American history? What was the British response to the Declaration?

  6. What was the message of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense?"

  7. What opportunity did Abigail Adams see opening with the establishment of an independent nation?

  8. What did Thomas Jefferson think about the institution of slavery? Was there anything written about slavery in the Declaration of Independence?

  9. What was David Bushnell's secret weapon? Did it work?

  10. What was the outcome of the Campaign of 1776? Where did British General William Howe winter? Where did George Washington and the Continental Army winter?

  11. On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the situation of the Continental Army at the end of 1776?
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