What was the major difference between the British and American soldiers?

Answer 1

During what historical period?

Answer 2

British soldiers--Actually professionally trained fighting force. Trained in Great Britain, came to America by ships. Did not know American geography too well and were always burdened logistically in the Revolutionary War. Not too much of the colonists liked them.

American soldiers--Initially untrained soldiers, they did have some sharpshooting skill and other important skills that a life on the frontier teaches. They were disciplined by von Steuben during the winter at Valley Forge and hence, became a trained force. They were very well-liked by the majority of the colonists and suffered nearly no logistical challenges.

Answer 3

During the revolutionary war, training was the major difference. The British were trained and reasonably well-disciplined soldiers. The American forces were mostly volunteers with little training and no respect for military discipline.

Answer 4

Little difference. In both armies most of the men were from the poor classes, men without prospects, who saw the army as giving them some advantage, if only being fed regularly.
Nether army had any type of basic training, but the British did use the time between enlisting a man and getting him to his regiment to drill him in the basics. Nor were most British officers trained either- they bought their commissions.
Since they used muskets, accuracy was very poor on both sides at the ranges they fought. They used the same tactics of linear warfare. It is a myth that the Americans hid and shot at the stupid Brits who were too dumb not to stand in fields. Both side stood in fields and shot at each other every chance they could. The weapons made the tactics work, and vice versa. Hiding got you bayoneted by the line of men coming at you.
One shot every 15 seconds maximum...a man can run 100 yards in 11 seconds...one man hiding alone is killed by several running up and stabbing him. Only a formation is safe! Thus the tactics were to break up an enemy formation.

Answer 5

In the Revolutionary War?

The English soldiers were part of a standing army, well-disciplined and trained in the traditional military tactics of their day.

The American army was mostly comprised of untrained volunteers and local militias who employed guerilla tactics heretofore unknown to the British soldiers, who considered them dishonorable. Later in the war, they got a German military commander who trained them in European fighting tactics and drilled them, so they became a more disciplined fighting force.

Answer 6

Us Brits were, in general, far better dressed.

Answer 7

The accent.