Plot

The plot of //1776 // is to tell the beginning of the Revolutionary War, why and how the revolution started, and the most important people in it. The book also gave some background on the British and American forces. The British did not understand why the Americans were so angry, and the Americans couldn't understand why they were being so greatly taxed by the British. The taxes were the initial reason for the Americans beginning to the war. The Americans had a great disadvantage with lack of soldiers, supplies, and experience; but the Americans had the advantage of the war happening in America, on their soil, across the ocean from Great Britain, where the British had all their reinforcements and extra supplies.

About halfway through the book, it talks about how the war was getting very brutal. Both armies were winning and losing about the same number of battles. Neither side was ever really in control, until the battles of Saratoga. This was the turning point of the war giving the Americans the upper hand. Washington and his army drove General Cornwallis all the way to Trenton where they won what seemed to be the final battle. Once Cornwallis realized the majority of his men were dead and he and the few that remained were surrounded, he gave up the battle. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, officially stating America as its own nation. Although there were still more battles lingering throughout the colonies the war itself seemed endless because the British would not completely surrender. It wasn’t until 1783 that the Treaty of Paris was signed, that brought an official end to the war. The Americans had completely earned their independence in every aspect. 10/10