AMERICAN ADVANTAGES

Patriotic Spirit; fighting for a cause -freedom, independence, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (fighting for their lives) Geography; knew the land -Americans, such as Francis Marion (known as Swamp Fox) were on their home ground. They knew the forests, hills and swamps.

Help from Abroad 90% of gunpowder secretly supplied by France France provided navy, money and supplies later in the war

Help from Abroad -Men such as Lafayette (French) and von Steuben (Prussia; today’s Germany) provided military leadership and support. -Money came from Spain and Netherlands was crucial Von SteubenLafayette

LEADERSHIP: George Washington inspired patriotism and loyalty

AMERICAN DISADVANTAGES: Cont. Army had not more than 20,000 troops (soldiers enlisted for 6 months or a year) Men were not trained for battle Food shortages Lack of money No working government

Had financial resources - funds were used to hire Hessian mercenaries to fight the Americans. (These foreigners were viewed as hired killers) Strongest government in the world

Professional army 50,000 British 30,000 Hessians 30, 000 American Loyalists

British navy dominated the seas British military best in the world - soldiers were well-trained, well-equipped, well-disciplined

BRITISH DISADVANTAGES Poor leadership – second rate generals Britain was fighting in other countries too Overconfidence Did not know geography of the land 3,000 miles from home (hard to get supplies across the ocean)

On paper, America should NOT have won the War.

Britain had no allies; we DID! Large scale support of Loyalists to Britain was never received 3,000 miles that separated England from the colonies took 4-12 weeks; troops arrived sick and weary and most of the horses died in transit Patriots had HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE