BritainAmericans Adv. Strong, well trained army & navyStrong, well trained army & navy Loyalist & Indian AlliesLoyalist & Indian Allies Home turfHome turf Superior weapons & marksmenSuperior weapons & marksmen Inspired CauseInspired Cause Disadv. 3,000 miles3,000 miles Unfamiliar battlefrontsUnfamiliar battlefronts Weak military leadersWeak military leaders Poor strategy & tacticsPoor strategy & tactics Untrained, undisciplined troopsUntrained, undisciplined troops No navyNo navy Shortage of ammunition & suppliesShortage of ammunition & supplies Weak GovernmentWeak Government On the Eve of the Revolution

LoyalistStrongholds

Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.

Military Strategies Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with France. The AmericansThe British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851 Surprised British at Trenton & Princeton

Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War! Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War! A modern-day re-enactment

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: Painted by John Trumbull, 1797 “The World Turned Upside Down!”

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783