UNIT 6
"THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
IN NEW JERSEY"
Grade 4: SOCIAL STUDIES:
STUDY GUIDES

1. Name the thirteen original colonies which eventually became the thirteen original states. (page 94, see map)

2. American colonists went to war against Great Britain. The war was called the The Revolutionary War. Americans were fighting for independence . (pages 98 - 99)

3. New Jersey played an important part in the war because of its location between Philadelphia and New York City. New Jersey became known as "Revolution's Crossroads". (pages 98 - 99)

4. Who were "Minutemen" and how did they receive their name? (pages 98 - 99)

They were militiamen, who were excused from regular army service on the promise that they would run to help their country at a "minute's notice".

5. The Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775 and ended on October 19, 1781. The war lasted for 6 years. (classroom discussion)

6. The first two battles of the Revolutionary War were fought at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. Most of the early fighting took place in and around the city of Boston. (classroom discussion)

7. Where and on which date, month, and year was the Declaration of Independence signed? (pages 100 - 101)

Date: July 4, 1776
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

8. What happened on the night of December 22, 1774 in the town of Greenwich, New Jersey? What message did an act such as this give to the British? (pages 100 - 101)

Tea was taken from the British ship "Greyhound" and burned in the town square. Actions such as these told the British that the American colonies were unwilling to accept the present form of British rule.

9. Who were the five delegates sent from New Jersey in 1776 to draw up the Declaration of Independence? (pages 100 - 101)

1. Richard Stockton
2. Rev. John Witherspoon
3. John Hart
4. Abraham Clark
5. Francis Hopkinson

10. Who were the Hessians and the Redcoats? (pages 102 - 103)

Hessians - Soldiers from Germany paid to fight against the Americans during the Revolution.
Redcoats - Name given by American colonists to the British troops because they wore red uniform coats.

11. After early battles which side was winning the war? (pages 102 - 103)

The British and the Americans fought to a stalemate at Boston, but the British clearly won the battle for New York City.

12. Facts About Washington’s Famous Crossing of the Delaware:

13. Why were the Battles of Trenton and Princeton a turning point in the war for the American side? (pages 102 - 103)

They proved that the American Army could beat the British in battle.

14. Which of the 4 seasons was a time of rest for both armies during the Revolution? Can you think of any reasons why? (pages 104 - 105)

There were very few battles during winter. The sickness and deaths from the bitter cold and the poor food were too much to endure.

15. At the battle of Monmouth, the American Army for the first time faced the British soldiers on an open field and held their ground. (pages 104 - 105)

16. Who was Molly Hays and what important part did she play in the battle of Monmouth? (pages 104 - 105)

Molly Hays carried pitchers of water to the soldiers on the field during the battle of Monmouth. During the battle her husband, William, was injured. She dropped her pitcher and took his place at the cannon and fought bravely all afternoon.

17. Why was the Morristown winter of 1779 - 1780 considered to be the worst of the Revolution? (pages 106 - 107)

There was bitter coldness, many snowstorms, much sickness and death, and poor food.

18. Why was Reverend James Caldwell called a hero after the Battle of Springfield? (pages 106 - 107)

During the battle, American troops ran out of the wadding used to pack powder into the cannons. The minister raced into his church and gathered hymn books written by a man named Watts. As the Pastor passed out the hymn books for soldiers to use as wadding, he yelled: "Give 'em Watts, boys! Give 'em Watts!"

19. What five major battles of the Revolutionary War were fought in New Jersey? (page 101, see map)

1. Battle of Trenton
2. Battle of Princeton
3. Battle of Red Bank - Fort Mercer
4. Battle of Monmouth - Freehold
5. Battle of Springfield

20. List 4 ways that NON-soldiers worked to help win the Revolutionary War? (pages 108 - 109)

Women and Children:
1. made food
2. sewed uniforms
3. ran errands
4. carried food and water
5. cared for wounded soldiers
6. carried secret messages

21. Why were iron and salt important during the Revolutionary War? (pages 108 - 109)

Ironworkers were important! The mountains and Pine Barrens of New Jersey were filled with iron forges that made guns and cannonballs for the American army.

22. New Jersey's iron forges were located in the: Highlands and Pine Barrens. (pages 108 - 109)

23. Write the name of the event with its description:

Fort Mercer at Red Bank An American fort along the Delaware River which held out in a fierce battle against the British during the Battle of Philadelphia.(pages 104 - 105)
Valley Forge General Washington's famous winter camp outside of Philadelphia used during the winter of 1777-78. (pages 104-105)

Battle of Monmouth The Americans fought the British at Freehold on June 28, 1778. Neither army won, but the Americans held their ground as the British fled to New York. (pages 104 - 105)

Jockey Hollow at Morristown General Washington used Jockey Hollow for two of his winter camps (1776 - 77; 1779 - 80). Both were very cold and miserable. (pages 106 - 107)
Battle of Springfield The American troops defeated the British on June 23, 1780 in the last major battle in New Jersey. (pages 106 - 107)

Yorktown, Virginia The Revolutionary War ended with Lord General Cornwallis (British) surrendering to General Washington at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. (classroom discussion)

24. Skirmishes were little battles. Most lasted only a few minutes. Sometimes soldiers were killed while they slept. Such action were called massacres. (pages 110 - 111)

25. How did boat owners along the Jersey shore help to win the war? What is a "privateer"? (pages 110 - 111)

A privateer was a captain of a private armed ship (not part of the regular navy) who was permitted by the government to make war against enemy ships.

26. How did the French help the Americans in their effort for independence from Great Britain? (classroom discussion)

The French sent military personnel to help train the American troops. They also sent supplies, money, and ships from their navy to help fight the British navy and block the movement of British ships.

27. The Revolutionary War unofficially ended on October 19, 1781 when the British General Lord Charles Cornwallis surrendered to the American General George Washington at the battle of Yorktown . (classroom discussion)

28. The Revolutionary War officially ended on September 3, 1783 with the signing of The Treaty of Paris. (classroom discussion)

29. Describe what it must have been like to be a soldier in the Continental Army. (classroom discussion)

A soldier's life was very harsh. There were little supplies and little training for the American troops. Pay was very low and camp conditions were miserable. It was bitterly cold during the winter, muddy during the spring, and hot during the summer. The soldiers were constantly searching for food and basic supplies of clothing, shelter and ammunition. Despite all this the American soldiers fought bravely and eventually won their independence.

Other Resources:

Lyrics to Yankee Doodle

History Central: the Revolutionary War

The History Place: The American Revolution

The Revolutionary War: A Journey Towards Freedom

PBS Series: Liberty!, The American Revolution

www.rewar.com: A Great Revolutionary War Resource

Women Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War

Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolutionary War

Battles of the American Revolutionary War

Privateers and Mariners in the Revolutionary War

Loyalist, British Songs & Poetry of the American Revolution

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