1. LE2-C5S7T2L1pg173-180 The U.S. Marine Corps – The Early Years (1775 – 1815)

2. Purpose The purpose of this lesson discusses the history of the early years of the U.S. Marine Corps.

3. 1. List significant events related to the establishment of the Marine Corps. 2. Identify heroes of the early Marine Corps and describe their contributions. 3. Explain the significance of key military actions in the early history of the Marine Corps.

4. CPS Lesson Questions (1-2)

5. How interested are you in learning history? A.Extremely – History is one of my favorite subjects. B.Very – History is in my “Top 10” topics list. C.Somewhat – History is somewhat interesting to me. D.Not at all – History is not very interesting to me, but I will focus and find something useful for me.

6. True or False: Marines were involved in supporting the British during the French and Indian War. A.True B.False

7. Think about what you have already learned about Marine Corps history. List 2-3 events that you have already learned about. (Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question)

8.  Before there was a United States of America, there was a Marine Corps in America.  In 1740, four colonial battalions were raised to fight against Spain.  These Marines landed at Guantanamo Bay where they secured a forward base for the British fleet.

9.  In October of 1775, General George Washington was asked by Congress to use Marines in an effort to capture two English ships.  This legislation established both a Continental Navy and a need for Marine Corps.  When the War of Independence officially ended, Congress authorized the sale of the Continental Navy ships and the Marines were dissolved.

10.  On July 11, 1798, President John Adams signed an act establishing and organizing a Marine Corps into law.  President Adams named William Ward Burrows the first official commandant of the Marine Corps.  Burrows moved Marine headquarters to Washington D.C.

11. CPS Lesson Question (3)

12. True or False: After the War for Independence, the Marine Corps were dissolved. A.True B.False

13.  The U.S. attempted to stay out the war between France and England.  In the spring of 1800, the U.S. attempted to disrupt the French in Haiti by supporting anti- French blacks in their efforts for independence.  Captain Daniel Carmick recaptured a British ship held by the French in the Haitian port of Santo Domingo, then led Marines and captured its forts.

14.  Pirates from the Barbary states of North Africa – Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli – plundered ships in the Mediterranean sea for centuries.  In 1805, Marines stormed Tripoli; some called this “the most daring act of the age.”

15.  The United States declared war on Great Britain on June 12, 1812 because of long simmering disputes.  The central dispute surrounded the impressments of American solders by the British.  The Marines fought bravely in several famous battles including the Battle of Bladensburg outside of Washington, DC and the Battle of New Orleans.

16. CPS Lesson Question (4)

17. True or False: The main reason for declaring war on Great Britain on June 12, 1812 was due to the impressment of American sailors by the British. A.True B.False

18. List 2-3 things you learned about the Marine Corps history that you did not already know. (Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question)

20. Images in this lesson were taken from:  Microsoft © Clip Art Gallery  Marine Corps Combat Camera  MCJROTC Student Text