Maria Velasquez AP US History
Grade 11 September 2016
AP US HISTORY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT: The story of the American Revolutionary war which led to America gaining their independence from Britain is told in the non-fiction historical narrative book; “1776” written by award winning author David McCullough. The book narrated by the author himself, tells the story of the war through the perspective of both America and Britain, through the eyes of important figures from both countries (like George Washington, King George 1l etc). Although, “1776”, is indeed a non-fiction book based on historical facts, David McCullough was able to write it in a way were the book is more like a novel then a historical book making it easier for many readers to understand.
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Many of these battles were defeated by the British and almost caused America a great lost. One of the major messages conveyed in this book, is that even though America was defeated many times by the British in the battles, it never stopped them from continuing to fight for what they wanted and changing in addition to creating new military tactics/strategies that would help them win the
The author of this book, David McCullough, is most commonly known for his written works. He also takes a huge role in being a narrator, historian, and lecturer. Author David McCullough wrote the book titled “1776” that was first published by the company Simon & Schuster on May 14, 2005. The main topic of the book is focusing on the events that surround the beginning of the American Revolution. Although a majority of the book revolves around George Washington, author David McCullough gives attention to several other people like King George III and Henry Knox.
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
McCullough shows how it was not difficult for the British forces to underestimate their opponent as “the sprawling American encampments bore little resemblance to the usual military presence. Tents and shelters were mainly patched together concoctions of whatever could be found” . And despite the semi-victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill and successfully retaking Boston from British control, the Continental Army still faced trying times as they suffered defeat after defeat. The troubles of the Americans began with losing New York City in a humiliating defeat in the first major battle after the Declaration of Independence, and the first major battle in the War for American Independence. It was a complete disaster from America’s perspective; the only success of the night was the completely successful withdrawal Washington managed in the dead of night without alarming the enemy.
David McCullough’s nonfiction book 1776 I believe is not just another boring summary of 1776, but a novel that tells a story about the remarkable year. I believe that people view the year of 1776 as just the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. This book takes place when General George Washington marched towards freedom or certain death. George Washington was an overall noble soldier and allowed many to march with him, nothing mattered not shape, size, or occupation. Against the English no other than, the British, The British army was a very skilled and prevailing army led by Commander William Howe.
In his book, Garry Wills attempt to tell the story, or stories of the American Declaration of Independence. He begins by talking about the Continental Congress and how they would arrive at a document that would be the base for their revolution. While Jefferson is accredited to writing the final draft, politics prevailed, important things were left out, and the political ideologies of the delegates was considered. Wills then begins to discuss in more detail, Thomas Jefferson’s original intent concerning the Declaration. He discusses how the ideas are rooted in scientific inquiry and then routed through the moral ideas in order to apply them politically.
The book 1776 rewrites the prolific story of what many historians consider to be the most important year in American history. The book contains a vast number of characters that serve many key roles in the story but one could focus in on the five that have the largest impact in the story. Beginning with King George III of England, the enemy in most American’s eyes. King George in the story appears to be genuinely wanting to gain the colony back. He was definitely strongly opposing the American push for independence from England.
“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.
As I read the book I noticed author Christopher doesn’t present the events in favor of the British, but he uses a particular point of view of the war that helps the reader recognize the basic story.
Before the American Revolution, the British had appeared unstoppable. The thought that the colonies, who had existed completely at Britain’s will, could defeat them was astonishing. America gained their independence, despite the doubts. Without the tyranny of the British monarchy, the colonists had to establish a new government around the recently written Constitution. George Washington, one of the generals critical to the success of the revolution, was unanimously elected as the new leader.
April 1776, fresh from their victory of boston, the contiental army sent the british army running, which will lead to a bigger war, because america wants independence, the british will come back with a more effective blow. New york was the place that would put this war to an end. New york was the location that settles the score. If the bristish win, it would end the war, if the colonist win, indepence will commence. An immigrant from england named thomas payne creating a best selling how to make a revoulution.
The chapters of our textbook, America: A Narrative History, written by George Brown Tindall and David Emory Shi, takes us on a historical yet comparative journey of the road to war and what caused the American Revolution, an insight into the war itself, and a perception to what life was like in America after the war was over. The essays of the book, America Compared: American History in International Perspective, collected by Carl J. Guarneri gives us a global context and a comparison between the North and South Americas in the dividing issues of labor, slavery, taxes, politics, economy, liberty, and equality. Part One These chapters in our textbook Tindall describes; the road to the American Revolution, the road to the surrendering of the British, and the road to the American colonists receiving their independence and developing the government which the people of the United States will be governed by. The road to the American Revolution consisted of several events, which escalated to the war that began April 19, 1775, as the tensions between the American colonies and the British Government advanced towards breaking point.
Alex Diaz Period:9 11/17/16 History essay During the year of 1776 many important events happened such as the American Revolution. Within a three month span, three documents were released explaining their different view on American independence. They also wrote about their viewpoints on the government in Great Britain and the Unites States of America and the positive and negatives of each. Although each author had different opinions at times, there were really interesting things written about how America could gain independence within the future
During the 1700s America and it’s 13 colonies made a bold decision to revolt from Great Britain and become their own independent nation. This started a revolution that would forever change the way Americans would live. The War of Independence or better known as the American Revolution, consisted of the 13 colonies of America trying to gain independence from Great Britain and on July 4th 1776, America finally decided to declare their independence. Many say the revolution paved the way for many other great changes to take place, while others believed not a lot was impacted due to the revolution. This raises the question, “How Revolutionary was the American Revolution?”
In 1776, one of the most popular and well known founding fathers led the fight for independence in the royal colonies. In David Hackett Fischer’s book, “Washington’s Crossing”, he describes the troubles and even the unknowns of Washington’s experiences during the Revolutionary War. Fischer goes into detail about the first approach of the British as their massive naval fleet surrounds the state of New York all the way up to the point when the British became the defensive force rather than the offensive. “Washington’s Crossing” illustrates how the American Revolution wasn’t just pure success as at the beginning of the war, the Americans took many losses that almost completely crushed the revolution entirely. However, eventually the tides would
The American Revolution (1700-1790) was a historical event in time, where the Thirteen Colonies that became the United States of America, gained independence from the British Empire. Many historians would agree that the Revolution was caused by events and the growing differences between the colonists and England. The cause of the American Revolution could be summarized in the saying ‘liberty vs. tyranny’. The American Revolution was a struggle by liberty-loving Americans to free themselves from a dictatorial British rule. In this period, the Colonies protested against the British Empire and entered into the American Revolutionary War, also known as the American War of Independence.