STRATEGIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

It is easy to see how the British thought that they would be able to defeat the colonists quickly and decisively. Britain had a strong navy, one of the finest armies of Europe, and considerable support from approximately 150,000 loyalists in the colonies. In addition, in the first years of the war, the Continental Army suffered from poor discipline, frequent desertions, a lack of supplies and money, and a virtually nonexistent navy. However, an obviously long supply line (four to six weeks by ship), divided British policies in London, and a army used to fighting the more “formal” European type of war would end up hindering British efforts. The leadership of George Washington, the willingness to use defensive tactics and only attack when needed, and the fact that they were fighting on home territory all helped aid the colonial military efforts, Washington felt that a lengthy war would assist the colonists, since they were fighting on home ground.

In May of 1775 a bloody battle had taken place at Bunker Hill in Boston. The colonists were defeated, but at the expense of nearly 1,000 British dead or wounded.