58 pages • 1 hour read
1776
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Reading Questions & Paired Texts
Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.
CHAPTER 1
Reading Check
1. What did the three golden cherubs on King George’s chariot represent?
2. What did King George refuse to wear?
3. What document did King George reject in 1775?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. What effect did the beginning of the American Revolution have on King George’s popularity? What groups agreed with his opinion regarding the colonists’ actions?
2. What did the replacement of the Earl of Dartmouth with Lord Germain indicate about King George’s attitude about the war?
Paired Resource
- This article from the official webpage of the British Royal Family gives an overview of King George’s life and includes a speech that the king made after the end of the Revolutionary War.
- How does the author of this article portray King George? How does it compare to McCullough’s portrayal?
CHAPTER 2
Reading Check
1. What originally disqualified Nathanael Greene from commanding troops?
2. What does Washington use to distinguish officers from regular troops?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. Why didn’t Nathanael Greene receive a formal education? What did he study, ironically, on his own?
2. How was Washington’s philosophy of military leadership different from the New England philosophy?
3. Why did the war council reject Washington’s plan to attack Boston?
Paired Resource
“Ten Facts About George Washington and the French and Indian War”
- This article from Mount Vernon’s informational site offers details about George Washington’s early military career in the French and Indian War.
- This resource connects to the theme George Washington’s Character and Leadership.
- How do you think Washington’s experience in the French and Indian War affected his attitude toward military strategy? What lessons did he learn, and how do you think that would change his perspective on leadership?
CHAPTER 3
Reading Check
1. What building did General Howe demolish for firewood?
2. What animal did Knox use on the last leg of the journey from Springfield to Boston?
3. What does Washington tell Artemus Ward to remember?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. Why did the British hate the Old South Church?
2. How did Washington deal with the stress of waiting for the attack on Dorchester to begin?
Paired Resource
“Big Idea 3: Soldiers of the Revolutionary War”
- This article from the Museum of the American Revolution describes the differences between British, Hessian, American, and French soldiers.
- This article connects to the theme The Spirit of the Continental Army.
- Using this article and evidence from the text, describe the differences between British, Hessian, and American soldiers. What do you think the most important differences were? Why?
CHAPTER 4
Reading Check
1. Who owned most of the property in New York?
2. What title does General Howe use to address Washington?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. Why did Washington decide to make a stand in New York?
2. What does Greene ask John Adams to do in order to increase enlistments?
3. Why was it especially difficult to recruit new men in the summer of 1776?
CHAPTER 5
Reading Check
1. What did the British admire in Flatbush?
2. What did the Americans use to muffle the sound of wagon wheels?
3. What road was George Washington criticized for not defending?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. Why didn’t the Continental Army have any cavalry?
2. What did the Hessians find surprising about the American soldiers?
Paired Resource
“Brooklyn Battle Facts and Summary”
- This article from the American Battlefield Trust provides a layout of the basic facts of the battle, focusing on Washington’s role.
- This article connects to the theme George Washington’s Character and Leadership.
- How does the author of this article comment on George Washington’s Character and Leadership during the Battle of Brooklyn? How does it compare to McCullough’s description? Is it more positive, more negative, or does it seem more neutral? How do you know?
CHAPTER 6
Reading Check
1. Where did General Clinton want the British to make their landing in New York?
2. Whom did Congress see as a “potential savior” in case Washington failed?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. What did Congress tell Washington to do with New York?
2. According to Henry Knox, why did the American army fail at Brooklyn and Kips Bay?
3. What does McCullough believe was one of Washington’s best decisions, despite his many failures in judgment during the New York campaign?
CHAPTER 7
Reading Check
1. Where did Washington send General Mifflin?
2. Whose capture did the British believe “‘more than counter-balanced’” their loss at Trenton? (Chapter 7)
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. How did Washington feel about Lee’s letter to Reed?
2. Why was the victory at Trenton considered so significant to the Americans?
Recommended Next Reads
His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
This book focuses on George Washington’s personal life and legacy. While 1776 deals with George Washington’s leadership in the American Revolution, His Excellency: George Washington also includes the aftermath of the Revolution and Washington’s presidency.
- Shared themes include George Washington’s Character and Leadership.
- Shared topics include the American Revolution and early American history.
- His Excellency: George Washington on SuperSummary
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
- This pamphlet helped to inspire the revolutionary spirit, which McCollough argues was crucial to the success of the army. Washington himself cites the pamphlet as an inspiration.
- Shared themes include The Spirit of the Continental Army.
- Shared topics include the American Revolution and the year 1776.
- Common Sense on SuperSummary
Reading Questions Answer Key
CHAPTER 1
Reading Check
1. Ireland, England, and Scotland (Chapter 1)
2. A wig (Chapter 1)
3. The Olive Branch Petition (Chapter 1)
Short Answer
1. King George became more popular in England as a result of the American uprising. While some took an opposing view, most Whigs and Tories agreed with his opinion that the colonists must obey England, and though his war declaration was debated in Parliament, the House of Lords and House of Commons came to agree on war as a solution. (Chapter 1)
2. The replacement of the Earl of Dartmouth with Lord Germain indicated that King George was committed to winning the war, as Lord Germain was considered a serious military man. (Chapter 1)
CHAPTER 2
Reading Check
Short Answer
1. Nathanael Greene did not receive a formal education because his father, a wealthy Quaker from Rhode Island, did not deem it valuable for his religion. Greene studied warfare, which is somewhat ironic considering the usually peaceful ideals of Quakers. (Chapter 2)
2. Washington was more aloof with his troops, choosing to keep interpersonal distance for the sake of leadership, whereas the officers in New England intermingled more with the ordinary men. (Chapter 2)
3. The war council rejected Washington’s plan to attack Boston because an amphibious attack was far too risky; the chance of a large number of casualties was too great. (Chapter 2)
CHAPTER 3
Reading Check
Short Answer
1. The British hated the Old South Church because town meetings had been held there, which represented a challenge to their authority. They used the church space as stables for their horses and for entertainment. (Chapter 3)
2. Washington dealt with the stress of waiting for the attack on Dorchester to begin by writing letters to his various correspondents, including Joseph Reed. He also wrote to Phyllis Wheatley, a formerly enslaved young woman from West Africa, now recognized as a well-known published poet. (Chapter 3)
CHAPTER 4
Reading Check
Short Answer
1. Both Congress and the citizens viewed New York as vitally important; Washington knew that if he lost the city, it would be demoralizing for everyone and damaging to his cause. (Chapter 4)
2. Greene asks John Adams to ask Congress to provide for injured soldiers and their families, which he believes would increase enlistment. (Chapter 4)
3. It was especially difficult to recruit new men in the summer of 1776 because the crops were very good, so the men were needed on their farms. (Chapter 4)
CHAPTER 5
Reading Check
Short Answer
1. The Continental Army did not have a cavalry because neither Washington nor Congress believed it was necessary; consequently, they did not ask for one. (Chapter 5)
2. The Hessians were surprised by the Americans soldiers’ lack of uniforms. Uniforms and boots were provided to British and Hessian soldiers; Washington’s soldiers’ clothing was not standard issue, but they knew better what to expect from the harsh winters. (Chapter 5)
CHAPTER 6
Reading Check
Short Answer
1. Congress told Washington to leave New York intact and unharmed, even though its resources could be used by the British. (Chapter 6)
2. Knox believed that the Americans were defeated at Brooklyn and Kips Bay because of inexperienced officers and Washington’s inability to be everywhere at once. (Chapter 6)
3. McCullough believes that Washington’s decision not to fire Greene after the loss of Fort Washington was one of his best decisions. (Chapter 6)
CHAPTER 7
Reading Check
Short Answer
1. Washington felt hurt by Lee’s letter to Reed because he wished that Reed would have told him his concerns to his face instead of going behind his back. (Chapter 7)
2. The victory at Trenton was significant because it showed that Washington’s troops, despite their size, hardships, lack of expertise, and limited supplies, were capable not just of surviving, but even winning against both the British and Hessian troops. (Chapter 7)
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