Seems like a simple enough topic to write about....then why am I struggling. I probrably should have posted this during lunch or earlier....oh well.....anyway here is my prompt: (Due 10-4-05)
"Discuss the advantages and disadvantages the British and the American each hold in fighting the Revolutionary War. What do you think accounts for Americas ultimate victory?"
Any quick ideas would help me a lot...I am mostly looking for ideas and facts for the underlined bolded part.
The essay I turned into today got butchered...and I got a D..... :( I need to redeem myself with this essay....So PlZ help.....
Much Appreciated.... :)
Ok the main reason why America won the Revolutionary war was one reason: France. Everything else was something towards duex ex machina. We had mediocre leaders, terrible fighters and really low munitions, and only recieved supplies from the French pre-Saratoga. That's the real turning point since they gave us their full support. Sure we were fighting a defensive war, but most of the soldiers chickened out or weren't even armed until the French arrived. Also you have to remember Reauchambeau (spelling?) and his support with Washington in the final battle of Yorktown after pinning the British army down (70k troops).
In short: France is finally useful for once in war (j/k). XD
You got a good point about Mr. Rochambeau...and the French Thank You :)
Ahhhh...it feels good to finish an essay......what I need now are some opinions....so if anybody can nicely criticize my writing you have my respect and graditude......(Note: The Bolded part, I feel, is lacking so if the attention could go mainly to that area it would really help)
-I'm sorry if posting our essays is forbidden, I didn't see anything about that in the rules....so... we cool....
"The Revolutionary War was a big turning point in American history that matched huge British Armies and allies against un-united American colonist, however with supplies from the French Empire and superior commanders the colonist triumphed over the unorganized armies of the British.
The military forces of the British were gigantic. With a strong naval force and well-trained soldiers, the British Empire was invincible. When time came to fight the colonies the British armies held nothing back. With about seven million strong, the British army would decide to stop the colonial rebellion. The empire also decided to hire 30,000 German Hessians. Also with 50,000 loyalist and Native Americans in the colonies nothing could stop them. Their superior Navy was their strong point. This country could supply its forces with supplies and were much wealthier than the American colonist.
However, even with all these advantages it seemed like a new kind of war for the British. Fighting 3000 miles away from the motherland was very hard to do. Supplies were difficult to send and in addition to that Ireland and French seemed posed to strike at any time. Also without the great command of William Pitt, who brought his son out of the Revolutionary War, the British were stuck with mediocre generals. Their was also no plan of attack, meaning that their were no single targets that would injure the colonist. Most of the British had no intention to fight their cousins in America. Also some of the troops were afraid that George III would turn tyrannical with a win.
On the other hand American colonist were mentally prepared for their independence and secession from England. With good leaders such as George Washington, and strong moral support from Benjamin Franklin and Paine’s “Common Sense” troops in the Colonies were ready for a War. French aid also came in indirect forms. The Americans defensive strategy gave them military advantages. Even with poor equipment Colonial Marksmen were superior to the British.
However, their was lack of unity within the colonies. Jealousy erupted towards the Continental Congress and finding leaders for the colonies were a tough task. Inflation hit families of soldiers and there were low supplies coming from France to support troops. Some of the colonist had no desire to fight causing conflict with the many colonies.
With battles erupting all over the Americas hope seemed lost for the colonist. British armies conquered many areas and were pinning colonist with their naval superiority. However, the Battle of Saratoga changed all this for the colonist. What use to be indirect support from the French soon grew to be full support. Numerous French forces came in aid of the colonist. Rochambeau’s French Armies and French Admiral de Grasse help defeat General Cornwallis of the British and capture Yorktown, the final leg of the War. The peace treaty was signed and the Revolutionary war had ended, even though fighting continued on for another year.
British downfall was caused by many mistakes in the British part, but the Battle of Saratoga was the turning point in the Revolution. American Colonist were now seceded from the British Empire. The peace treaty in Paris help form an alliance with England and America had finally achieved their independence. Their low numbers and poor unity triumphed over Britain’s powerful navy and immense army. With full support from the French, American Colonist were able to live independently and solve problems such as making a constitution and establishing a United States of America."
I like it, but I'd cut down your thesis paragraph a bit. It's cool that you know how many units were deployed in the war, but I doubt AP readers would care (no offense). Also, don't talk about American disunity. It only detracts from your argument and goes off topic (it's asking what factors were working FOR the revolution). Another thing was that though the americans lost a lot of battles, they made sure they won important ones. They invented new tactics for war (guerrilla) and as well a fight and retreat method (Nathaniel Greene). Also don't forget that Spain assisted in the war (though they got ripped off in the end). Personally I like it. If I were to grade it face value right now, I'd give it a 7, because it's good but I feel that there could be more you can go into. I'm not sure but still it's a good essay.
Wow... Thanks A lot A/C.....I see the problems and now I can readily correct my mistakes. I really appreciate your help..... :)
I think the Battle of Saratoga had alot to do with the American's winning!!!!!!!!!
me too...but I turned this in already....thanks though...