What factors contributed to the American victory over the mighty British Empire in 1783?

Initially the Continental Congress believed local militias could fight the war against the British. The lesson learned from early battles such as Bunker Hill was that the colonists needed a large, trained, and disciplined army to defeat professional British soldiers.

The Continental Army did not conform to the popular myth of citizen-soldiers ready to lay down their lives for their homes and farms. Most of the men who enlisted were poor and unmarried, without land or close ties to their communities. They had little to lose by enlisting and welcomed the promises of food, steady wages, and a grant of land following the war. Yet the biggest problem for the army in the early years of the war was desertion. In 1777 alone, % of soldiers deserted. Food and pay proved unreliable, and many soldiers lacked adequate clothing. The worst trial came in Dec when the army settled at Valley Forge near Philadelphia and was forced to endure an unusually bitter winter. Almost 3,000 men died of disease, exposure, and malnutrition.

British had to regain territory whereas the colonists only had to hold on to what they had British had over extended supply lines compared with the colonists Colonists were fighting on familiar ground which gave them the advantage in many battles

Ineffective use of troops in sufficient numbers Use of foreign troops (Hessians from Germany with no loyalty to the British fighting 1000s of miles from home…low morale) Many of the colonial Loyalists that did serve in the British army lacked training / discipline & actually increased the determination of the Patriots

While Britain had blockaded the American coast, it did not defeat the colonists Although small in numbers, the Colonial naval ships were difficult for the British to track down and destroy Privateers were sanctioned by the colonies to attack British shipping when and wherever possible Colonies received support from France

British blockade interfered with the shipping of neutral nations League of Armed Neutrality was formed to protect neutral shipping from the searches of the Royal Navy Heavy drain upon British resources & made the war unpopular in Britain

Much protest about this war in Britain…very unpopular (comparison US in Iraq) Many British politicians /officers were excited about news of the American victory In the long run the British may have maintained control over the 13 colonies, however, public support was not there to support such a struggle

1783 British formally recognized the independence of the USA as a new nation America now faced a more difficult task than winning the war: forming a new government

1781 – 1787 the US was a confederation under an agreement called the Articles of Confederation

Difficulty collecting taxes & enforcing authority Little economic regulation between states which now competed against one another National debt

Need for a strong central government It was decided to abandon the Articles in 1787 & adopt a new constitution Came into effect 1789 & established a federal system of government

Delegates suggested separation of powers would prevent tyranny Three branches of govt –Legislature: Congress (House of Representatives/Senate) –Executive: President –Judicial: National courts

Impacted by Montesquieu (separation of powers) would prevent tyranny President could appoint officials & form treaties but only upon senate approval Before a bill became law it had to be passed by both houses of Congress & signed by the president Supreme court decided if a law was constitutional

US was a republic with an elected head of state instead of an appointed monarch Washington 1 st US President In 1791, Bill of Rights was added as the 1 st ten amendments of the constitution to protect individual liberties (religion, speech, trial by jury)