Question

What event did the British think would divide the colonies and shatter their morale?

Answer 1

They planned to invade upper New York by way of Lake Champlain and to proceed down the Hudson River to New York City.

Answer 2

The event that would shatter the colonies' morale would be the Battle of Washington in 1776. The British would force the revolutionary forces to surrender and retreat to Delaware river, giving the control of the garrison at Fort Washington. This was one of the worst Patriot defeats, as a combined force of German and British forces led by William Howe defeated the continental army led by George Washington. The battle resulted in approximately 3000 casualties.