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ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES. How did an undisciplined, unprepared, American nation defeat the world’s largest and strongest empire?. War Aims. Location. Government. Military. Transportation. Economy. British. Americans. British were fighting a war from home.
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ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES
How did an undisciplined, unprepared, American nation defeat the world’s largest and strongest empire?
War Aims Location Government Military Transportation Economy
British Americans • British were fighting a war from home. • Military orders, troops, and supplies sometimes took months to get to the colonies. • America = HUGE LAND MASS! • Strong supply lines and were familiar with the geography Location
Americans British • Americans were fighting for INDEPENDENCE! • Were defending homeland • Britain had to maintain a faraway colony and convince them to remain dependent on the “Mother Country” War Aims
Americans British • Lack of ships meant using poor road system • Ships could transport troops/supplies Transportation
British Americans • Britain had the best military in the world! • British soldiers were well equipped, well disciplined, well paid, and well fed. • British navy dominated the seas. • 50,000 professionally trained troops, 30,000 mercenaries (Hessians) • No established army/navy • Fewer soldiers, poorly trained and inexperienced. Military
British Americans • Funds were much more easily raised by the British treasury than by the Continental Congress • Funds used to aide war and hire mercenaries (Hessians) • Treasury problems • Lack of government = no power to tax (gain $$) Economy
British Americans • Established system of government (King and Parliament) • Power to tax and generate funds • Young government (Continental Congress) • Had few established powers • Tax? Government