Advantages/disadvantages of Rev. War

There are advantages and disadvantages in every war that can either be minute details or change the whole course of the war. In the Revolutionary war, there were many advantages and disadvantages of either side. America and Britain both had different things working for them or against them, many of these things were very significant by the end of the war. Although both sides had various advantages and disadvantages, America’s advantages outweighed those of the British.

In the war, America had many things working for them, including familiarity of the land, quick access to supply lines, aid from abroad, and the motivation of fighting for a cause. The Americans were extremely familiar with most of the lands that they fought on, giving them the strategical advantage. The supply lines in America were very important to the soldiers getting munitions, food, and medical supplies to armies quickly in order for them to be able to fight again fast. A major advantage the Americans had in the war was the help from the French, getting supplies and troops. The most important advantage for the Americans was having a cause to fight for. The idea of freedom from an oppressive king and freedom of government gave the Patriots a very deep sense of commitment to the cause, which helped them to fight better. Although the Americans had many advantages, they did have their share of disadvantages coming into the war. The Americans were extremely outnumbered by the British, having only 19,000 men. The Americans were also poorly trained and poorly armed, making it difficult to inflict many casualties on the British army.

Throughout the war, the British had more disadvantages then advantages. The war started out with many British advantages like a giant army, a navy, and many quick wins in the beginning of the war. The British army was composed of over 32,000 soldiers, nearly two times the size of the American’s army. The soldiers were also very well equipped and very well trained and disciplined. The British navy was also very big and was made up of hundreds of war ships and troopships. Another thing that gave the British some advantage was a quick sequence of victories, raising morale of the soldiers, and disheartening the American army. A little ways into the war, Britain had many disadvantages exposed to them, which ultimately lost them the war. Things such as having a bad commander, not taking the war seriously, guerilla band attacks, slow supply lines, and the French helping the Americans were all disadvantages for the British. The commander William Howe had many problems including bad judgement, alcoholism, sympathy for the Americans, and romantic attachment that all affected how he commanded and ultimately put the British armies at a disadvantage. Another problem the British found was that the soldiers did not take the war very seriously and thought that it would be won easily and they had no reason to fight their best. Regiments of guerilla soldier attacks on the British were devastating on the army, averagely taking three times the casualties of the guerillas. The slow supply lines for the British