Review on Revolutionary America 1763-1815

After having a thorough read through of Francis Cogliano痴 book detailing The American Revolution, I feel that he provides a refreshing look at that period of time, giving the reader an engaging and easily accessible look at early colonial times and their lives. Once I began reading through the book I believed that Cogliano had a clear and simple objective with what he was trying to create, to a piece of literature that could be classed as a modern and accessible way to look at the subject at hand aimed primarily at the undergraduate students. Whilst this work could easily be put to use for undergraduates that wish for a much deeper study into American history, it can also be useful for an …show more content…

The main part of the book is of course, the War of Independence itself. It begins by talking about how on the April 14th 1775 General Gage received a letter from Lord Darmouth, the secretary of state for the colonies, giving him instructions to arrest the leaders of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, and if necessary use force to disarm the population and and stop the rebellion. Gage planned on going to Concord, where Congress was meeting and arresting them there and also destroying the arms and munitions that were there to stop any uprising before it started, but the leaders were already well aware of Gage's plan.

The British troops arrived in Lexington on the morning of April 19th where they met around 70 militiamen waiting for them, even though the leader, Captain John Parker was a veteran of the French and Indian War and knew full well that his men had no hope against highly trained British soldiers. It is unknown to fired the first shot but by the end of it eight American's and within just half an hour the British had started the American Revolution. The American's did not defeat the British in a sustained campaign until the Battle of Saratoga, where from September 19th to October 7th British general John Bugoyne and his forces fought with the rebels in a number of battles at Freeman's Farm. With increasing significant casualties and the fact he was surrounded by rebel forces, he realized no assistance was coming and