The concern remains: What determinants led one undisciplined, unprepared, divided American country to prevail over the world"s biggest empire?


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Despite the supremacy of the British marine in the 18th century, the colonial naval pressures won plenty of battles. This photo depicts the marine engagement that July 7, 1777, between the American frigates Hancock, Boston, and also HMS Fox, and also the brothers frigates Flora and also Rainbow.

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British Strengths and American Weaknesses

The British seemed unbeatable. During the ahead 100 years, the brother had delighted in triumph after triumph over nations as powerful as France and also Spain. At an initial glance, the odds were plainly against the Americans. A closer look offers insight into exactly how the underdogs emerged victorious.


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Britain"s army was the finest in the world. Your soldiers were well equipped, fine disciplined, well paid, and well fed. The brother navy overcame the seas. Funds to be much more easily elevated by the empire than by the continental Congress.

Some the those accumulation were offered to hire Hessian mercenaries to fight the Americans.

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... And the Hessians, who are permitted to it is in the finest of the German troops, room by no means equal to the brother in any type of respect. I think them steady, yet their slowness is of the best disadvantage in a country nearly covered with woods, and versus an foe whose chief qualification is agility in running from fence come fence and also thence maintaining up an irregular, but galling fire top top troops who advancement with the same pace together at their exercise. Irradiate infantry accustomed to fight native tree to tree, or charge also in woods; and Grenadiers that after the first fire lose no time in loading again, yet rush on, trusting totally to that most decisive of tools the bayonet, will ever be exceptional to any kind of troops the Rebels have the right to bring against them. Such are the British, and also such the method of fighting which has actually been attended with constant success ....

– lieutenant W. Hale, letter come unknown recipient (March 23, 2022)

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The Americans had actually tremendous difficulty raising enough funds to purchase an easy supplies for their troops, consisting of shoes and blankets. The British had actually a to win tradition. About one in five Americans open minded favored the Crown, with about half of the population hoping to prevent the conflict altogether. Many Indian tribes sided with Britain, who promised security of lack lands.


American Strengths and British Weaknesses


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Although American troops may not have had the army force and economic base the their brother rivals had, they did think strongly in their fight for freedom and also liberty. The continental Congress embraced this "Stars and Stripes" as its main flag on June 14, 1777.

On the various other hand, the american had many intangible advantages.

The British battled a war much from home. Army orders, troops, and supplies occasionally took months to reach their destinations. The British had an extremely daunting objective. They had actually to sway the american to offer up their cases of independence. As long as the battle continued, the colonists" insurance claim continued to gain validity. The geographical vastness of the nests proved a hindrance come the brothers effort. Despite occupying every major city, the British stayed as in ~ a disadvantage.

Americans had a grand cause: fighting for their rights, their independence and also their liberty. This cause is much an ext just than waging a battle to deny independence. American military and also political leaders were inexperienced, yet proved surprisingly competent.

The battle was expensive and also the British population debated that necessity. In Parliament, over there were many American sympathizers. Finally, the alliance v the French gave Americans courage and a tangible danger that tipped the scale in America"s favor.


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Sons that the revolution in California
Spend some high quality time at this young of the revolution in California website and uncover some amazing facts and figures the the American Revolution. Although it doesn"t reveal the strengths and weaknesses of one of two people side, the site does go into an excellent detail on many other elements of the war. The best place to start is the "Battles" link. Click on any kind of year in the chronology bring up a finish list that the war of the year and also the days they take it place. The "Casualties the the Revolutionary War" connect (also under the "Battles" link) offers a detailed list of the dead and also wounded native both the American and British forces. And all this is only one link! various other links include "Flag History" and "Colonial Uniforms."
Uniforms the the American Revolution
Forget around strengths and also weaknesses! i m sorry side was the ideal dressed?

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Are girlfriend a jaunty or a daddy? carry out you sit in the cad"s corner and also dodge Pompey? Read much more about British navy slang and terms in 1775 to find out.Learn More...

See more: Oui Je Parle Français Mais Oui, Je Parle Un Peu De Francais, Oui, Je Parle

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The continent Navy had actually only 31 ships as soon as the Colonies declared their self-reliance from brothers in 1776.Learn More...

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