British defeat in the american revolution

Jonathan Michael Farmer

The American Revolutionary War was the conflict between the people of Great Britain and the thirteen colonies, but grew into a world war later on. Factors that led to British defeat in this war were British arrogance, and over confidence. Also, the French Military and finance played a huge role. Furthermore, George Washington’s contribution to this war was of great importance.
In Europe British soldiers were trained in an old-fashioned style. The routine was three lines of soldiers to advance on the battlefield. The first row knelt, the second stood and the third fired from the back line, then ran forward to kneel in the front line to reload their guns. This style worked well in Europe, where the battlegrounds were open spaces, but in the United States, where the battle often took place in forested territory, the line of sights were blocked, the kneeling soldiers were prime targets and the American soldiers, firing from behind trees and other protective cover, could pick them off easily. The British uniforms were not helpful either. Where the Americans wore clothing that blended in with the environment, the Brits wore bright red jackets with crossed white bandoleers in the middle of their chests. It made an ideal target. France bitterly resented its loss on the Seven Years' War and sought revenge; it also wanted to keep Britain from becoming too powerful. French money, munitions, soldiers and naval forces proved essential to America's victory over the Crown, but France gained little except large debts. They saw the revolution as an opportunity to strip Britain of their North American possessions in retaliation for France's loss of Canada a decade before. The French extended considerable financial support to the American forces in the form of donations and loans and also supplied vital military arms and supplies, which became a decisive factor in the victory of America. George Washington was a great man. Without this leader, the groups wouldn't have come together as they did. Washington was chosen for Commander-In-Chief because of his experience and reputation. He used the element of surprise to win American victories. One of the most memorable surprise movements was when he led his troops across the Delaware River and attacked the unsuspecting Hessian troops at Trenton. The entire cause of the American Revolution was saved by Washington's bold and skillful action and the Revolutionary troops were more confident of their abilities to win their war for independence. Together, these factors led to British defeat in the American Revolution. Playing loud drums and wearing bright red in the forest is not exactly ideal. Too much arrogance and over confidence was a major downfall for the British, and lost them many soldiers. The French supplying American troops with gun powder and food was critical support that we needed to succeed. And, the charismatic hero, George Washington, inspired his troops to fight harder on the battlefield, and used strategic genius to rise victorious in, what seems like, impossible battles.