This is an article that tells how the colonies won the American Revolution....
Colonial Victory in the American Revolution
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In 1776 the colonies made a big decision. With Patrick Henry’s cries of “give me liberty, or give me death,” they raged into war to fight for the freedom they believed in. Although a nation of any size would tremble at the thought of taking on the British army, the young American colonies chose to defend their freedom with great determination. The success the colonies had within the Revolutionary War was a great start to building the great nation America is today. With the great leadership of George Washington, the knowledge of their own home land, and the help of foreign allies, the colonies were able to use their immense courage and determination to fight all odds, and attain independence.
Although it takes more than one man to win a war, there was one man that certainly played a necessary part in the colonists’ victory. This man was George Washington. Not only did he lead our country as our first president, but this great man also led the way through the American Revolution. When the Second Continental Congress first decided that taking arms to the British might be a necessary action, they turned to the young leader for direction. With no promise of salary or safety, Washington eagerly accepted the position and set to work making an army out of the untrained colonists. Untrained colonists was not the only difficulty Washington faced however, Washington himself was also untrained being a war leader. With hard work however, Washington and his army gradually learned how to fight. Washington’s hard work, gathering troops, and learning strategies is one way he showed his great leadership in the war. As the leader of war, Washington was expected to make some daring choices. On Christmas night, with nearly all the future of America relying on Washington, he decided to make a risky attack at Trenton. He decided to send his troops across the Delaware, and attempt to surprise the Hessians. This could not have worked out better; George Washington had made a key move to giving hope to the colonists and a head start in the war. Yet another great example Washington provided, to prove his excellence as a leader was at Princeton. A great many troops from the British Army came back to the place of Trenton hoping to take down Washington’s forces. However, George Washington encouraged his men, and would not let go. The men within his army remember Washington riding straight through the fighting, encouraging all the men to keep at it. A true leader shows more concern for his army than himself, and that’s just what Washington showed his army. The inspired colonists went on to win this war and others. Without Washington, it is hard to imagine that all the separate colonies would have been able to work together and make it through the war against the British. The way he rallied forces, planed out daring strategy’s, and was determined to succeed were all crucial aspects for the colonists’ victory over the British.
Looking back at the American Revolution, it is also clear that the colonists’ knowledge of their own land, or the lack of knowledge for the British, also became an important part for the colonists in the Revolutionary War. The main reason it was so difficult for the British to fight over seas was clearly the distance. This distance made it hard for the British to react quickly and know when and where to send their troops. A second downfall for the British’s long range attack was the great difficulty of getting supplies all the way across the ocean. Although the British had lots of ships going both the ways, the constant need was sometimes tough to stay on top of, as well as expensive. The sea also brought an easy target for the colonists. Later on in the war, America allowed ships to attack the supply carrying British ships before they even made it to land. The final way American colonists were able to make full use of their over sea advantage was through knowing their land better than the British. The British fell prey to many surprise attacks from the colonies. Key battles may not have turned out favoring the patriots had they not had this simple advantage. The geography of where the fighting took place, no doubt, gave the colonists a much desired advantage.
Even if things were looking up for the Americans, the constant threat of the British army was hard to keep up with. In 1778, the Continental Congress was able to become allies with a much needed foreign force, the French. Ben Franklin helped arrange the signing of the Treaty of Alliance, and with it, the military aid from France. This military aid played a crucial part to America’s victory. The French alliance, gave hope to all Americans that this revolution was entirely possible. When the French sent 5,000 troops to help out the Americans in the Yorktown battle, the colonists had gained the upper hand against the British, numbering 17,000 to 8,000. With this advantage the colonists were able to win battles more decisively and finally forced the Britain government to surrender. Upon the creation of the treaty of Paris, the mortified Britain government finally named the United States a “free sovereign and independent states.” This might not have happened had the states not made the recent alliance with the French, and clearly the foreign forces did help create independence for Americans.
When the Congress first made the decision to take arms against the British rule, they didn’t know quite what would happen. At that point the British army was one of the strongest in the world, and for the young nation to choose arms for their freedom was very brave indeed. Through their high determination, they were able to win the war, and with it, their freedom. George Washington’s leadership, the geography of the battles, as well as the French alliance the colonists made, were all crucial parts for the colonials to come on top in the American Revolution. The battles and difficulties the colonists’ faced, only proves how important their freedom was. A need for liberty is what got them into the Revolutionary war, and the dedication to freedom is what got them through.
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