What was one major accomplishment of the Green Mountain Boys? Why was this considered an accomplishment (what impact did it have on the Revolutionary War?)? Please give detailed responses.
One major accomplishment of the Green Mountain Boys was their capture of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775. This accomplishment was significant because it provided the Continental Army, led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, with crucial artillery and military supplies that played a significant role in the early stages of the Revolutionary War.
Fort Ticonderoga, located in northern New York, guarded the strategic Champlain-Hudson corridor, providing control over transportation and trade routes between Canada and the American colonies. Capturing the fort allowed the Patriots to gain control over the strategically important Lake Champlain and disrupt British military operations.
The artillery captured at Fort Ticonderoga, including cannons, mortars, and other munitions, proved invaluable for the Continental Army. The cannons were particularly essential in the subsequent Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775, where they inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing British troops and boosted morale among American forces.
Moreover, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga sent a powerful message to other American colonists and the British. The Patriots demonstrated their determination and ability to strike at key British military positions, weakening the perception of British invincibility. This encouraged other colonies to join the revolutionary cause and provided an early psychological victory for the American forces.
Additionally, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga prevented the British from using the fort as a base to attack the colonial forces from the north. This allowed the Patriots to focus their efforts on fighting the British in other regions, diminishing the threat and diverting the British military's attention away from the northern colonies.
In summary, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by the Green Mountain Boys was a major accomplishment that had a significant impact on the Revolutionary War. It provided the Continental Army with vital artillery and military supplies, boosted morale among the Patriots, weakened British perception of invincibility, and prevented the British from utilizing the fort as a base for attacks on the northern colonies.