Military Aspects

Prior to taking this class I assumed Washington was a great general who was efficient and effective.  I thought the battles were fought in an organized manner and travel was precise.  After listening to speakers and reading texts I found that to be anything but true.  One speaker basically explained georgie to be dumb and lead his troops hundreds of miles off course.  It is a surprise that the colonists were able to win any battles.  With weather, travels, and weak battle plans its hard to imagine our Independence was gained

July August War

I always had historians pegged as researchers who spit facts back in a dry, boring manner.  After taking this class, listening to speakers, and reading various texts I found that to be anything but true.    The three readings for this assignment all present the material in a different way.

 The American Revolution Handbook is what I always remembered a history text being.  It gives  you facts and allows you to make your own interpretation.  It goes in chronological order, citing important events that occurred throughout the revolution.

The American Revolution by Wood gives his interpretation based off of the facts that can be found in any history text.  This is what I found most interesting about historians; much of the information is just based off of facts.  It is their opinion after a collaboration of primary resources, readings, and other historian’s views.

The last text was the picture book of the revolution.  This is different from any text I have ever read throughout my schooling.  The material in this text reminded much of the Hakim book.  It had stories within the war.  The inserts and images painted a story of what times were like during the war.

My overall view of historians has changed.  I see them as storytellers, creating their own interpretations based off what facts they can obtain.