Advantages for both sides during the American Revolution

Lets do Britain first When the war began, the British had 131 ships of the line, but the Royal Navy was in neglect[ from rapid and poor quality ship construction during the Seven Years' War. It was estimated that only 39 ships of the line could be battle ready in the first year of a conflict • Population (7. 5 million to 2. 5 million colonists) • Monetary wealth • Naval forces • Professional army armed with 6’ muskets with bay onets attached • 50, 000 British, 30, 000 Hes sians, 30, 000 Loyalists (Torries)

And now on to America • Outstanding leadership • Military—Washington • Diplomatic—Franklin • European imports—Lafayette, Baron von Steuben • Colonists fighting defensively • Self-sustaining agricultural base • Colonists were better marksmen (Americans accurate at 200 yards. ) • Moral advantage=Americans were fighting for a just cause

And now onto America • Outstanding leadership – Military—Washington – Diplomatic—Franklin – European imports— Lafayette, Baron von Steuben • Colonists fighting defensively • Selfsustaining agricultural base • Colonists were better marksm en (Americans accurate at 200 yds. ) • Moral advantage. Americans w ere supporting a just cause wit h a positive goal. . PA/KT long rile was used during the Revolutionary War to “pick off” British Generals The Continental Congress appointed him as major general in 1777, before France had officially entered into an alliance with the United States