viernes, 8 de abril de 2011

The Treaty of Paris

Was signed on September 3, 1783, ratified by the Congress of Confederation on January 14, 1784 and by the King of Great Britain, on July 14, 1784. The treaty document was signed at the Hotel d'York by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay (representing the United States) and David Hartley (a member of the Brittish Parliament  representing the Brittish Moncarch,King George III).


The 10 articles of the treaty: 


  1. Acknowledging the Thirteen Colonies to be free, sovereign and independent States, and that the Brittish Crown and all heirs and successors relinquish claims to the Government, propriety, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof;
  2. Establishing the boundaries between the United States and Brittish North America (for an account of two strange anomalies resulting from this part of the Treaty, based on inaccuracies in the Mitchell Mapp;
  3. Granting fishing rights to United States fishermen in the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence;
  4. Recognizing the lawful contracted debts to be paid to creditors on either side;
  5. The Congress of Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands "provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties, which have been confiscated belonging to real British subjects [Loyalists]";
  6. United States will prevent future confiscations of the property of Loyalists;
  7. Prisioners on war  on both sides are to be released and all property left by the Brittish Army in the United States unmolested (including slaves);
  8. Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual access to the Mississipi River;
  9. Territories captured by Americans subsequent to treaty will be returned without compensation;
  10. Ratification of the treaty was to occur within six months from the signing by the contracting parties.

The Battle of Trenton

The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, after Washington crosses the Delaware Ruver in the northern part of Trenton, New Jersey. The American army consisted 2,400 soldiers and 18 guns, and were leaded by George Washington. On the other hand, the British and the Hessians were only 1,500 and had just 6 guns. From the 2400 American soldiers, 2 were killed and 5 were wounded, and from the 1500 British and Hessians, 22 were kiled, 83 were wounded an 896 were captured. 


Popular history portrayed the Hessians as having been drunk from Christmas celebrations. An officer in Washington's staff wrote before the battle, "They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance to-night. They will be sleepy to-morrow morning."Following the surrender of the Hessians, Washington is reported to have grabbed the hand of a young officer and said "This is a glorious day for our country.

The Battle of Monmouth

The Battle of Monmouth was a battle fought on the Monmouth County, New Jersey on June 28, 1778.  The Brittish generals were Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, Major General Earl Cornwallis and Major General Knyphausen against Patriots General George Washington and Major General Charles Lee. The Americans had an advantagen because they were 11,000 and the British were 10,000. 


From 362 to 500 American soldiers were wounded or captured, In the other hand, the British had 65-304 Killed
170-770 Wounded, and 60 were captured. The legend of "Molly Pitcher" is usually associated with this battle. According to one story, she was the wife of an American artilleryman who came to battle with her husband, bringing water for swabbing the cannons and for the thirsty crews, and took a soldier's place after he fell, and fought beside her husband.
Molly Pitcher


viernes, 1 de abril de 2011

The Capture of Savannah, Georgia

British Plan to Attack Savannah, GA 
This battle was fought on December 29, 1778 between the American Militia against the British Army. This battle was won by the British. The Colonial Army was leaded by Robert Howe, and the British by Colonel Archibald Campbell.

The Continental Army had 4 cannons, but were only 850 soldiers, but the British had an advantage because they were 3,100 soldiers, a very huge difference.  From the 3,100 British soldiers, only 11 died, but from the 850 Colonial soldiers, 43 died and 453 were captured.

Campbell selected Girardeau's Plantation, 2 miles outside Savannah, Georgia. When Robert Howe