5th - SS Chap 9 Lesson 2 Flashcards
A soldier from one country who is paid to fight for another country.
Mercenary
A group of Vermont soldiers who captured British cannons.
Green Mountain Boys
A battle that the Continental Army won; it showed that they could defeat the British.
Battle of Saratoga
What advantages did the British have over the Americans?
- Best navy in the world.
- Well-trained and well-equipped soldiers
- Money to hire thousands of German mercenaries.
What fort did the Green Mountain Boys take over in May 1775?
The British Fort Ticonderoga.
Who commanded the Green Mountain Boys?
Ethan Allen
What was so great about the capture of Fort Ticonderoga?
It gave the colonists badly needed cannons
What did the Washington do with the captured cannons?
He put the cannons on hills above Boston which forced the British to leave Boston.
How did the capture of Fort Ticonderoga lead to the American victory in Boston?
Washington used the cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga to force the British to leave Boston.
After several lost battles, where did Washington decide to attack on December 25, 1776?
Trenton, New Jersey
Who held Trenton, New Jersey before the Americans’ attacked?
German mercenaries from the region of Hesse in Germany.
What was the result of the attack on Trenton?
Washington’s men captured the town and nearly 1000 German mercenaries.
Why was Washington’s victory at Trenton important for the Americans?
The victory gave new hope to many Americans.
Who was John Burgoyne?
The British General in the Battle of Saratoga
What was Burgoyne’s plan? Why did the British want to control Lake Champlain and the Hudson River?
His plan was to capture Albany and then continue south on the Hudson River. In doing this the British would cut the United States in two.
