American History help!?

Question

Alright, so I asked my Dad for some help with this essay I have to write but he couldn't really help me.

So I came here looking for some pointers.

"What factors enabled the American colonial rebels to defeat a seemingly much more powerful British force and overthrow the colonial control of the government of, arguable, the best-organized, strongest empire in the world during the 18th century? Identify key people and events in your analysis of the War for Independence from 1775-1783. Discuss also why so many Americans were Loyalists, supporting what they believed to be the legitimate authority of the British government."

Thanks for anything. =)

Answer 1

Reasons for an American victory:

1. Britain's army was spread out over the entire planet guarding and policing ALL of their colonial possessions, of which America was only one of 13.
2. Long supply lines for the British--short supply lines for the colonists
3. America got the assistance of France immediatly after our victory at the battle of Saratoga and France's assistance made all the difference.
4. Home court advantage. We were fighting on OUR soil near our homes and families.
5. America had a much more clear and noble motive. It is much easier to get a people determined to fight for THEIR freedom than it is to get your people to prevent others to enjoy THEIR freedom.


And there you have it.

Answer 2

Start with your textbook. See what it says about the subject, and get some names. Check the back for a bibliography, and use that as a guide for other reading material. Check the library for more information. Last of all, search Dogpile or Google. Good luck.

Believe it or not, Shaw's play 'The Devil's Disciple' holds a clue.

BTW, the idea that American troops specialized in guerilla warfare is basically a myth. While they may have engaged in it on rare occasions, they drilled to the pretty much the same manual of arms as the British did, marching onto the field in ordered ranks, firing in rotation, the lot.

Answer 3

I think the reason the rebels defeated a bigger and better organized enemy is because the Brits underestimated the colonists so much that they didn't even bother to fight them but hired mercenaries to do it instead. Those mercenaries might have been great fighters but they had no personal stake in winning. So long as they got paid to fight, they really didn't care who won. The colonists were not only fighting for their freedom, but for their lives since if they lost, many would have been hanged for treason and the British government would have made examples of the colonies by clamping down on them hard.

Answer 4

A new style of fighting as well as wonderful shooting skills contributed to winning. There were well established rules of war. If you lost a battle, then you surrendered. Gen. Washington tried something different. He and his troops ran away. To retreat after losing was unthinkable. But he did it. He learned. He later could come back and win.
Other tactics varied. The British lined up for rapid fire. They made wonderful targets in their uniforms and lines. The Colonists did not always line up so. Sometimes they hid. They fired from cover. They had skilled snipers, guys who regularly hunted squirrels. There are other factors. That should be enough to help a little with the military side.

Answer 5

It was the guerilla warfare tactics of the French/Indian War that helped farmers defeat the superpower of the British. Alot of tribes helped the settlers fight againest the British.

Answer 6

well colonists won due to many factors...

they knew the land and fought using guerilla tactics. they did not stand in line like redcoats were used to.

they had training from people like frederich von steuben, who trained colonial soldiers

after win at battle of saratoga the french supported america and helped them win major battles such as at yorktown

ummmm thats all i acn think of off the top of my head. you could go to wikipedia and look at the american revolution for more help.