This blog will be our last on the topic of the Revolutionary War. This critical conflict was such a pivotal force in the creation of our country that it took three blogs to cover!
This week you will be examining some popular songs, on both sides of the war, during this time period. Visit this website, listen to the five songs listed on the left and read the lyrics as you listen. In the comment section choose two (2) lyrics to quote that really stood out to or that you thought were particularly insightful about this time period.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Valley Forge: The Worst of Times//The Best of Times
Washington and his men spent a difficult winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania from the end of 1777 to the early months of 1778. One of the strange customs of war from the 18th Century is that armies would basically call a cease-fire when the weather turned cold. As winter would approach, each army would find a place to hibernate until the fighting would resume in spring. Washington's choice was Valley Forge.
It is well documented how miserable his men were during this time. There was little food, adequate clothing or proper shelter to protect the men from the winter winds. Washington, in display of one of his best qualities, refused to live in comfort while his men suffered. He remained in the camp until winter thawed out.
As difficult as this time was, the men in Washington's camp received the best training of their "careers" up to that point. Prussian military leader Friedrich Von Steuben came to the aid of Washington and drilled his men until they were an actual fighting force. For this week's blog, I want you to read this story, watch part one and part two of this video series and in the comments write about your impression of Washington, Von Steuben and the soldiers in light of their struggle at Valley Forge.
It is well documented how miserable his men were during this time. There was little food, adequate clothing or proper shelter to protect the men from the winter winds. Washington, in display of one of his best qualities, refused to live in comfort while his men suffered. He remained in the camp until winter thawed out.
As difficult as this time was, the men in Washington's camp received the best training of their "careers" up to that point. Prussian military leader Friedrich Von Steuben came to the aid of Washington and drilled his men until they were an actual fighting force. For this week's blog, I want you to read this story, watch part one and part two of this video series and in the comments write about your impression of Washington, Von Steuben and the soldiers in light of their struggle at Valley Forge.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Women & Slaves: Overlooked People Groups of the American Revolution
Like the title of the blog suggests, the role women and slaves played in the American Revolution is often overlooked. Most people think about Washington, Jefferson, Adams etc. when they think about the 1770s, and those people were important! But, there were other groups who played strategic roles in the fight against Britain.
Visit these two links (women & slaves) and in the Comment section discuss why you think each group chose to play a part in the war. Do you think they got what they wanted or did they help out and then were forgotten?
Visit these two links (women & slaves) and in the Comment section discuss why you think each group chose to play a part in the war. Do you think they got what they wanted or did they help out and then were forgotten?
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