Compare the strengths and weaknesses of the American and British sides in the American Revolutionary War. Explain why the Americans were successful in winning. In comparing the British and American strengths and weaknesses, the reason the Americans were successful in winning the war was due to non-military factors, some geographic reasons, and foreign support.
The non-military reasons included their ability to unite, use of propaganda like the one in the book Common Sense, and the influence of people like Paul Revere and George Washington. Another main factor that affected the outcome of the war was geographical reasons. Americans were fighting on their own land versus the British who had come from overseas. This essay will show how these reasons led to the Americans winning the war. The American strengths included their ability to unite, their strong leaders, and their receiving aid from France.
One of the main reasons the Americans won the war was because of their unification. For example, we can see their unification with the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence, where they agreed upon an action that was beneficial for the country. The use of propaganda was another way to create unity for the American cause. An example of this is the book Common Sense by Thomas Paine.
It helped encourage the issuance of the Declaration of Independence and pointed out the economic benefits if they continued fighting against the British. Events such as the Boston Massacre were depicted by Paul Revere in an exaggerated way to increase Americans’ desire to fight for independence against the bad” British. The Americans also won because of strong leaders like General Washington, who made a surprise attack on the British in 1776 on Christmas when he was crossing the Delaware and was in New Jersey. The British were overconfident, and George Washington took advantage by surprise attacking.
The victory led to new hope. The Americans realized they could beat the British. Another reason for American success was aid from foreign countries, such as France, with whom they signed treaties.
The first treaty stated that they would give each other favored treatment in matters of trade. The French sent gold, powder, shot, equipment, a fleet, and troops. Spain, Netherlands, and Prussia also helped the Americans. The aid was not only economic support but also emotional. Another factor that helped the Americans win the war was that they were fighting on their homeland. They were more experienced with the land than anyone, and for the British, their central base was in London, making communication very difficult.
America was all wilderness and the trees were green. It was hard for the British to see the Americans, but it was easy for the Americans to see the British because they were wearing red coats. Even though the British had many strengths, their overconfidence and miscalculations overshadowed these factors. The British strengths were that they had well-trained soldiers and funds from other countries. They were also experienced in fighting wars, such as the wars they had fought with France in the beginning.
They also had money, so they could just buy soldiers. They also had a strong navy and could cut off American trade. However, they made many blunders, such as Trenton and Princeton, where they assumed they would win, but were caught off guard and defeated. Another important reason why the Americans won the war was because of the weaknesses the British had. For example, they had difficulty communicating, not enough supplies because their supply was coming from London, which was very far away from America. They also hired soldiers who were not loyal to them, and the soldiers were German.
They were not ready, for example, when Washington did a surprise attack on them. Although the Americans had many weaknesses, they took advantage of their few strengths: unity, strong leadership, and foreign support. It is surprising that they were able to defeat a wealthier and stronger British force.
