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Reasons why America won the War of Independence - Coggle Diagram
Reasons why America won the War of Independence
British Failure
British Arrogance
Bunker Hill - British force of 2000 lost 226 compared to 138 rebels. Meant the British were closed off in Boston.
British Weaknesses
Fighting a War 4,800km away
Two to three months to wait for reinforcements across the Atlantic.
Co-ordinating land and sea operations was difficult.
State of the Military in 1775
Navy was left to decay
Army was under strength - Only 36,000 troops.
Lack of Loyalist & Native American Support
Support for the British
Native Americans garnered more patriot support.
Hessians had a poor reputation - turned colonists
British Martial Law, Requisitioning of Supplies, Seizure of Property - Angered Colonists
9 in 10 Prisoners would die in British Prison Ships - angering colonists more.
Burgoyne recruited Native Americans despite their undermining of the cause and the general patriot dislike, due to their violent behaviour and murder of Jane McRea.
Leadership
North was not a good War Leader
Howes' failure to get a more decisive attack on the colonists and cut their attack - could have ended the War.
Burgoyne's advancement southward, despite knowing Howe would not join him.
Carleton's failure to move his Canadian forces south together with Clinton's inability to move forces from New York, ensure Burgoyne's defeat.
American Success
Tactics
Surprise helped the Americans early in the War.
Militias often used guerrilla warfare in order to attack the British and cut off supply lines.
In the South, the Americans used Hit and Run tactics supported by patriot militia.
Important Victories
Victory at Trenton
Considerable Morale Boost
Success of taking Ticonderoga
Battle of Saratoga
This was a decisive battle for the Americans - surrendering Burgoyne's army by only taking 300 casualties.
The Battle of Yorktown
Surrender came as a shock to most Britons, this stopped offensive operations in America and it was clear the public was now sceptical.
Leadership
Washington managed to outflank the British multiple times.
Washington's decision to cross the Delaware on Christmas Day.
Helpful Defeats
Guildford Court House was lost, but Cornwallis lost a 1/4 of his men in 1781.
Defeat at Pennsylvania saw heroism.
Battle of Long Island saw a lot of casualties for the British.
Harlem Heights restored faith into the Continental Army.
Foreign Intervention
Foreign Military Intervention
French Intervention produced a national effort in Britain that America had not aroused.
1778- 65% of British Troops in America, 1780 there was only 29%
In 1778, 41% of British ships were in American waters, in 1780 there was only 13%
British forces were worried about Gibraltar
Defend properties in Central America and Africa.
French soldiers gave Washington numerical advantage over Cornwallis.
The French fleet was vital at Chespeake.
Foreign Support
French money backed Congress, paid soldiers and the French clothed them.
Helped the Americans besiege Savannah
Continental Army Strength
Leadership
Washington's Appointment
Friedrich von Stauben's Training
2000 Privateers - inflicted damage on British merchant ships.
100,000 Americans joined a militia at one point.
Valley Forge
Army was drastically improved at Valley Forge
Many wives spent time at Valley Forge, boosting morale.
Army remained stronger and more disciplined
Washington was able to quash those who questioned his leadership
Colonists were fighting for liberty and their rights > Pay check for the British soldiers.