Explaining How Geography Influences Decisions - Day 143

Introduction

Time travelers, in our last lesson, you investigated many of the important geographical features in the U.S.. In this lesson, we will travel back in time again and revisit some of the history we have studied. Not only is it important to be able to locate important features, it is also important to think about how certain features may have influenced decisions and in turn, shaped our history.

Today, we will consider how the physical geography of battle sites may have been used to the advantage of an army by way of creating barriers or gateways.

How was geography used as an advantage in the Battle of Yorktown?

Let’s begin by watching the video below about the Battle of Yorktown. You will remember that the Battle of Yorktown was the last battle in the American Revolution. As you watch the video, write in your journal: How was physical geography used as an advantage? Were any natural barriers used?

In the video you learned that in the Battle of Yorktown, British General Lord Cornwalis, used a peninsula (a piece of land that is surrounded on 3 sides by water) as a station for his troops. The peninsula created a gateway for French troops to surround the British on the water, so the British lost the battle. Similar tactics were used in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and in the Battle of Saratoga.

How was geography used in the Battles of Lexington and Concord?

Jumping back in time again to the first battle of the American Revolution, you will remember that “the shot heard round the world” refers to the first shot fired at Concord. When this shot was fired, war began. The first place the British wanted to capture was Lexington because this is where Patriots were storing weapons and supplies. However, the time it took to travel from Concord to Lexington served as a barrier. Why do you think this was so? Take a minute to write down what you are thinking in your journal.

How was geography used in the Battle of Saratoga?

The time it took to travel from Concord to Lexington was a barrier because it allowed time to warn the citizens, and time to plan a strategy. Therefore, the Patriots had time to plan their win against the British.

The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the American Revolution, and also one that used physical geography as an advantage. The Patriots used the Hudson River to their advantage. How do you think they were able to use the river as an advantage? Are rivers barriers or gateways? Document your thinking in your journal.

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