The Revolutionary War

Why did the British lose the war? Greatest imperial power in the world Greatest imperial power in the world Powerful, experienced, well-trained, fully equipped army and navy Powerful, experienced, well-trained, fully equipped army and navy Strong central government with winning record against major European rivals Strong central government with winning record against major European rivals Fighting an untrained, poorly equipped, undisciplined, poorly funded colonial force Fighting an untrained, poorly equipped, undisciplined, poorly funded colonial force Why did Britain lose? Why did Britain lose?

American Disadvantages Confederation government Confederation government –Relatively weak and decentralized –No power to tax –Did not trust professional army, politicized it, undermined it Militia was poorly trained, undisciplined, unreliable, with spotty record against regulars Militia was poorly trained, undisciplined, unreliable, with spotty record against regulars Continental Army took time to train and equip, hampered by morale problems Continental Army took time to train and equip, hampered by morale problems At least one-fifth of population opposed independence, perhaps half remained neutral At least one-fifth of population opposed independence, perhaps half remained neutral

British Disadvantages British Disadvantages Fighting on foreign soil Fighting on foreign soil Colonial territory too vast to effectively occupy Colonial territory too vast to effectively occupy Strategic and public relations problems Strategic and public relations problems –Scorched earth strategy would hurt their image as a liberating force, alienating people –But too much leniency would encourage and sustain resistance movement

Why the British Lost: Ambivalence at New York, 1776 Background Background –Successful American siege at Boston forced Howe to withdraw and regroup –Americans held off invasion at Charleston, SC, June 1776 –New British strategy: invade down Hudson from Canada, up from New York, seal off New England, end rebellion in one campaign

Why the British Lost: Ambivalence at New York, 1776 August 1776: British have 29,000 troops, 70 ships, 13,000 sailors August 1776: British have 29,000 troops, 70 ships, 13,000 sailors Washington routed at Long Island, narrowly escaped from Manhattan Washington routed at Long Island, narrowly escaped from Manhattan But Howe brothers failed to deal decisive blow, hoping for show of force and settlement instead But Howe brothers failed to deal decisive blow, hoping for show of force and settlement instead Washington survived Washington survived

Why the British Lost: Trenton and Princeton, Continental army on the run, demoralized, deserting field Continental army on the run, demoralized, deserting field Washington turns tables, attacks Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776, Princeton soon thereafter Washington turns tables, attacks Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776, Princeton soon thereafter Strategically meaningless battles, but huge morale booster Strategically meaningless battles, but huge morale booster Keeps army in the field, can now take time to train Keeps army in the field, can now take time to train

Why the British Lost: The Tide Turns at Saratoga, 1777 Britain’s bungled campaign Britain’s bungled campaign –Burgoyne’s plan –Howe’s plan –Arnold’s victory at Fr. Stanwix and Saratoga Consequences Consequences –Stalemate in the north –The French alliance

Attrition in the South: the Southern Campaign Stalemate in north leads British to adopt southern strategy Stalemate in north leads British to adopt southern strategy –Offer freedom to slaves who escape to British lines –Invade coast, march into interior with conquering force, loyalist supporters will rise up and help occupy conquered territory Early victories in Georgia and South Carolina, but... Early victories in Georgia and South Carolina, but... –Loyalist militia commits atrocities, sparks vicious inland civil war –Guerilla resistance weakens occupying forces –British suffer heavy losses at Cowpens, King’s Mountain –Nathaniel Greene’s Continental forces prove adapt at running away, wear Cornwallis down –Cornwallis goes to Yorktown to resupply

The Battle of Yorktown, October 1782 A joint operation A joint operation –Washington moves troops south to lay siege to Yorktown –French navy blockades harbor, prevents resupply –Cornwallis surrenders after prolonged siege engineered by French generals Washington’s finest moment – thanks to the French Washington’s finest moment – thanks to the French The Treaty of Paris (1783) The Treaty of Paris (1783)

Summary: Why the British lost Despite superior military force Despite superior military force Despite America’s divided population Despite America’s divided population British lost because British lost because –Ambivalence, arrogance, blunders –Key American victories at Trenton and Saratoga –The Americans bought time with defensive warfare –They failed to win hearts and minds of the people –They could not effectively occupy so much territory –The French