What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Revolutionary War?

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The British was the most disciplined, best equipped, and not to mention the most professional army in the world. At the time of the Revolution, it was the undisputed ruler of the high seas. The Royal Navy had unwavering loyalty to its country, and in comparison, the American colonies were in economic disarray. Loyalists openly sided against the Patriots, and many citizens in America opposed the war against Great Britain. Looking at the statistics, weighing the disadvantages of the colonies and advantages the British had, the defeat appeared virtually impossible. The British army had years’ worth of triumphs, over countries much more powerful. And yet, somehow, when the Revolutionary war erupted in 1775 the American colonies defeated the superpower …show more content…

The British Armed Forces were too powerful to be defeated by some rebels, and that’s where they made their first mistake. The battle of Saratoga proved to be the turning point in the war, with the colonies proving victorious and forming an alliance with France. It showed the European Nation that the “Colonial forces could match the intensity and magnitude of the British troops on a man for man basis.” (Kannan, 2014) In 1778, France and America signed two treaties. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce recognized American independence and established a trade relationship with the struggling country. In the Treaty of Alliance, the two countries promised to consult the other when negotiating peace agreements with Britain. (American History, …show more content…

Military orders, troops, and supplies sometimes took months to reach their destinations. In the beginning of the American Revolution, according to an article by TotallyHistory.com, “the British army was about a total of 48,000 men composed of around 39,000 infantry units, 7,000 cavalry units, and 2,500 artillery men.” (2012) They also did not use the loyalists to their advantage, and the weaponry they had was less advanced than the American troops. The colonial army was fighting on their own ground, which helped them by being familiar with the areas. The American colonists were fighting for their freedom, and to keep their home. They weren’t about to let that go lightly. A quote by Patrick Henry captures this sentiment well, “They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.” The also had superior rifles, that had more range and accuracy than the enemy.

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