Many Americans know the infamous year of 1776. To many, 1776 is the year the United States signed the Declaration of Independence and began the Revolutionary War. To others, a symbol of American pride and perseverance when faced with battling the most powerful empire in the world at the time. In David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize winning work, 1776, McCullough focuses on the critical year of 1776 to shed light on how turbulent the well-known year in United States’ history actually was. In the work, beginning at the end of 1775 and ending within the first few days of 1777, McCullough uses a fitting blend of narrative and firsthand accounts to present a personal and entertaining account of the beginning of the American War for Independence from …show more content…
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. Not only did Washington lose 3000 men, but he was forced to abandon New York. The British, on the other hand, when they heard the news, were overjoyed that the campaign was going so well in the