Research Topic Assignment

docx

School

Liberty University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

512

Subject

History

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by DukeDonkeyPerson866

The Battle of Bunker Hill: The Impact on the Broader Course of Conflict Chad Davenport HIUS 512 Dr. Satta

1 Abstract The Battle of Bunker Hill was a significant event in the American Revolutionary War that took place on June 17, 1775. In this historical research, I will investigate the battle's strategic, tactical, and psychological implications on the course of the war. The battle served as a test of determination and capabilities for both American colonists and British forces early in the war. This research will analyze the strategic significance of the battle concerning the broader war effort and how it influenced military planning and decisions. Additionally, I will examine the battle's tactical aspects, including both sides' strengths and weaknesses and the implications for future military engagements. Beyond the physical battlefield, I plan to examine the battle's psychological consequences, including the combatants' morale and its impact on public perception of the conflict. By answering this research question, we can understand the Battle of Bunker Hill's role in shaping the Revolutionary War and its profound influence on the course of the American Revolution. In examining the Research Topic, there are several things to explore that will help to determine the role that the Battle of Bunker Hill played on the psyche of the Colonists and whether the defeat at the battle was really a defeat. Knollenberg suggests that “one of the most singular examples on record of what might be called the “balancing of blunder” between

2 opposing sides, and the accidental inuring of all those blunders to the advantage of one side. 1 Bunker Hill proved to be an important battle for the Revolutionaries. “The Revolutionary War battle, which was supposed to have been fought on Bunker Hill, but which in fact took place on nearby Breed’s Hill, gained the British a narrow victory. At the same time, it encouraged the colonists to continue to fight.” 2 “The Battle of Bunker Hill fought on June 17, 1775, resulted in a dearly-bought British victory.” 3 This quote goes along with the notion that even though the British were the victors at Bunker Hill, it may have indeed come at a high price. With the war in its very early phases, the Revolutionaries were not really prepared for battle or war. “Less generous was the statement of a British Naval Surgeon who called the Revolutionaries, ‘Drunken, Caning, Lying, praying, Hypocritical Babble.’” 4 Why did the colonists want to take on this fight? “An eminent physician of the time commented that the cause of liberty, of his country, and mankind called him to a destiny far more exalted.” 5 The Battle showed a lot to the young colonists and what their potential could be in a prolonged war. “Bunker Hill was a decisive day not just for Bostonians but, as Philbrick argues, 1 Bernard Knollenberg Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Third Series, Vol. 72 (Oct., 1957 - Dec. 1960), pp. 84-100 (17 pages) https://www.jstor.org/stable/25080516 2 Brue, Sandy. "The Battle of Bunker Hill: Now We Are at War. Revised. Teaching with Historic Places." (2002). 3 Cray Jr, Robert E. "Bunker Hill Refought: Memory Wars and Partisan Conflicts." Historical Journal of Massachusetts 29, no. 1 (2001). 4 Kurtz, Henry I. 1975. “Bunker Hill, 1775 ‘A Dear Bought Victory.’” History Today 25 (9): 610. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=4866001&site=ehost-live 5 Swett, Samuel, and Samuel Swett. History of Bunker Hill battle: with a plan , 2nd ed. Boston: Munroe and Francis, 1826 [c1818]. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed October 25, 2023). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0109650803/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark- SABN&xid=a0c1475c&pg=12 .

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

3 for the history of the United States.” 6 This Battle cannot be seen as a turning point, but it does help the morale of the Revolutionaries in the search for Independence. “For the Americans, the battle significantly proved that their militia could repel direct attacks by the world’s best grenadiers. Never again did the British attempt a frontal attack on American fortifications.” 7 Bunker Hill became a rallying cry for the Colonists and gave them hope in their battle against the vaunted British military. “An American volley might thin their ranks, but on they came, exhorting one another to “Push On! Push On!” as Bunker Hill and the battles followed.” 8 6 Ellison, Amy Noel. 2015. “Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution.” Historian 77 (1): 138–39. doi:10.1111/hisn.12056_26. 7 Mason, John H., and Walter F. Mackie. “Bunker Hill.” The Military Engineer 68, no. 443 (1976): 166–70. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44607206 . 8 Middlekauff, Robert. “Why Men Fought in the American Revolution.” Huntington Library Quarterly 43, no. 2 (1980): 135–48. https://doi.org/10.2307/3817391 .

4 Bibliography Brue, Sandy. "The Battle of Bunker HIll: Now We Are at War Revised. Teaching with Historic Places." 2002. Ellison, Amy. "Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution." Historian , 2015: 138-139. Jr., Robert Cray. "Bunker Hill Refought: Memory Wars and Partisan Conflicts." Historical Journal of Massachusetts , 2001. Knollenberg, Bernhard. "Bunker HIll Re-Viewed: A Study in the Conflict of Historical Evidence." Proceedeings fo the Massachusetts Historical Society , 1957-60: 84-100. Kurtz, Henry. ""Bunker HIll, 1775 'A Dear Bought Victory'"." History Today , 1975. Lightwood, Sigmund Diamond adn Martha. "Bunker Hill, Tory Propaganda, and Adam Smith." The New England Quarterly , 1952: 363-374. Mackie, John F. Mason Walter. ""Bunker HIll"." The Military Engineer , 1976: 166-170. Middlekauff, Robert. "Why Men Fought in the American Revolution." Huntington Library Quarterly , 1980: 135-148. Swett, Samuel. "History of Bunker HIll battle: with a plan." Sabin Americana: History of the Americas , 1826.