Both sides took preventative measures as best they could, mainly by keeping their troops away from those afflicted with the disorder or by inoculating them. Did smallpox have the potential to affect the outcomes of campaigns or the war itself? Certainly the smallpox outbreak did indeed have the potential to affect the outcome of the war. On page 85 of his book, McCandless writes that sicknesses "…killed and incapacitated large numbers of soldiers and felled key commanders at critical moments." Washington and British military leaders alike moved their troops to places that would supposedly keep them from becoming infected. Why is the terrible scourge of smallpox that affected the Revolutionary War in serious negative ways not talked about today? It is interesting that many students have not been aware at all of the smallpox issue during the Revolutionary. It doesn't have anything to do with the modern world being less vulnerable -- in fact the modern world is still vulnerable to epidemics and pandemics (think Asian / bird flu; AIDS -- HIV). Are there important lessons to be learned vis-a-vis smallpox and...
That's because history classes tend to focus on the framing of the Constitution, the politics dealing with independence, the personalities and leaders, and not so much on the war.
The discussion of the effects of smallpox, however, brings into light the fact that War and the events surrounding the War were only small part of the colonists' lives. Despite the War, the colonists had to live their daily lives and endure practical and everyday affairs such as work and disease. Fenn in her book does an excellent job of placing these factors in focus. If there is a criticism
The politics were simple. The Government and the settlers had all the power, ultimately the Natives did not, and so, the settlers and the government subjugated the Natives and forced them into treaties that only served the European settlers. Another writer notes, "In 1983 Richard White argued in the Roots of Dependency that Euro-Indian relations in various parts of North America had in common the 'attempt... By whites to
The American Dream was repeatedly exposed as a lie by American dramatists, ranging from Eugene O'Neill to Edward Albee to Arthur Miller -- but the PR machine had already been established: Orwell's warning was not heeded -- and "ignorance" became "strength." Millions now enjoy economic, social, and cultural slavery -- and don't even know it -- because they all believe they are experiencing "life, liberty, and the pursuit of
On page 124 of his book, Hirschfeld published a post-war letter from Washington to Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman of African ethnicity, who had served the general very well in the Revolutionary War (the French were allies of the Americans against the British). Lafayette had written to Washington on February 5, 1783, congratulating the general on winning the war. Lafayette referred to Washington as "…my dear General, my father, my
Native Americans in the 18th century contracted smallpox thanks to the U.S. soldiers in Fort Pitt giving them "some blankets and handkerchiefs" that were taken from patents in the infirmary with smallpox (Wheelis). It was a deliberate "attack" and wiped out many Indians. Also, during the American Revolutionary War, England were known to have inoculated smallpox on civilians with the intention of spreading it to the Continental Army. In World
The manner in which she coped with the travails of traveling overseas in a time far before airplanes underscores the strength of character of this remarkable woman. The trip also marked the first time she had been away from her children for any length of time, solidifying her independence and contributing to her overall psychological development. Furthermore, Akers notes how Abigail was able to analyze, criticize, and incorporate ideas,
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now