Question

Why do you think British General Howe wanted to capture Philadelphia?

Answer 1

Hint: William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, was a British Army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British land forces in the Colonies during the American War of Independence (10 August 1729 – 12 July 1814).

Howe was one of three brothers who served in the military with distinction. He is commonly referred to as Sir William Howe in American war history to differentiate himself from his brother Richard, who was the 4th Viscount Howe at the time.

Complete answer:
British General Howe wanted to capture Philadelphia -
i) By taking Philadelphia, Howe hoped to unite the Loyalists in Pennsylvania, dissuade the rebels by capturing their capital, and bring the war to a fast end. Washington attempted to foil Howe's scheme, but at Brandywine Creek and then at Germantown, Howe out maneuvered him.

ii) The Continental Army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge while Howe's forces settled into winter quarters in Philadelphia. There, the army was subjected to severe privations.

iii) It was regarded as America's capital at the time. The Continental Congress convened here.

iv) For a variety of reasons, Howe chose Philadelphia as his destination. Of necessity, Philadelphia was the American capital and the seat of the Continental Congress. Howe also seems to have intended to drag Washington into a war that would finally break the Continental Army.

v) Cutting off the head of the nation in which you are at odds is a strong military tactic. This may be the
commanding general or the capital of that country.

vi) The British hoped to demoralise the Americans, but they overlooked the fact that the United States had 13 capitals, each of which considered itself independent until 1789.

vii) During the British occupation of Philadelphia, the Continental Congress was relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and then to York, Pennsylvania.

viii) The conduct of the war was the primary concern of the Continental Congress after the war. While Washington's popularity waned at first, the Congress continued to believe in him until 1783.

ix) The colonies were governed from the 13 colonial capitals, implying that the British did not interfere with the Americans' war efforts or cause any demoralisation. It only served to unite Americans and redouble their desire.

Note: After capturing Philadelphia, General Howe. During the occupation of Philadelphia, Howe resigned and was replaced by General Sir Henry Clinton, his second-in-command. In 1778, Clinton evacuated troops from Philadelphia to New York City to strengthen the city's defences against a potential Franco-American assault.