The Victory of The Revolutionary War by The Patriots

1. Introduction

The American War of Independence, conventionally known as the Revolutionary War, was fought from 1775-1783. In this war, the Thirteen American Colonies won independence from Great Britain and formed the United States of America. The Patriots' victory in the Revolutionary War was a pivotal moment in American history. Understanding how the Patriots emerged victorious against Great Britain, the mightiest empire of that time, is crucial in comprehending the essence of American history. This essay endeavors to harness the exploration of this very subject. Although there was no single factor that assured the victory of the Patriots, this paper discusses the most significant causes, focusing mainly on the battles fought and the crucial alliance with France (K. Batchelor, 2018). Prior to the war, the economic growth of the colonies heightened the tensions that eventually led to the outbreak of conflict. After the French and Indian War in 1763, Great Britain defaulted in a financial crisis and imposed a series of taxes upon the colonies to pay off the debt. Still, the colonies were not represented in the Parliament and deemed these taxes unjust. Many protests against the British came forth, the most notable of which was the Boston Tea Party in 1773 (Ewing, 2017). Seeking to suppress the rebellious colonies, Great Britain set a chain of events in motion that led to war. Indeed, in April 1775, a series of armed conflicts began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the onset of the eight-year-long Revolutionary War.

1.1. Background of the Revolutionary War

Prior to the Revolutionary War, the American colonies were governed by the British Crown, but enjoyed a degree of self-rule due to their distance from England. However, following the French and Indian War (1754-1763), Britain faced significant debt and looked to the colonies to share the financial burden. This led to new taxes and restrictions, angering many colonists. Notable events during this period included the imposition of the Stamp Act in 1765, which mandated the use of stamped paper for various documents, resulting in protests and boycotts. In 1770, British troops fired upon colonists in Boston, killing five. This incident was labeled the "Boston Massacre" and fueled resentment against Britain (J Kubik, 2016). The Boston Tea Party in 1773, in which colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor in protest of a tea tax, further escalated tensions. In response, Britain enacted the Intolerable Acts, punishing Massachusetts and further angering the colonists. The First Continental Congress convened in 1774 to address these grievances, marking the beginning of a movement towards independence.

The initial goal of the colonists was not independence, but rather to restore the political relationship they had enjoyed prior to the French and Indian War. However, the imposition of taxes and restrictions, along with the growing ideological shift towards independence, made a violent confrontation inevitable. By early 1775, armed clashes had erupted between British troops and colonial militias in Lexington and Concord. In June of that year, the Second Continental Congress convened, with delegates deeply divided over the question of independence. By 1776, events had transpired to make independence necessary. The publication of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" in January 1776 advocated for independence and the establishment of a democratic republic, helping to convince many colonists of the necessity of independence (K. Batchelor, 2018). On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed a resolution calling for independence from Britain. The resolution was debated, and a committee was formed to draft a formal declaration. Ultimately, the choice made by the colonists to seek independence from Britain was a revolutionary one.

2. Causes of the Revolutionary War

As the colonies moved from passive resistance to rebellion, they held a Continental Congress where grievances were voiced and compromise with Britain sought. Nonetheless, many colonists desired independence. Key to understanding the Patriots’ struggle for victory is grasping why, after years of accommodation and adjustment, they felt compelled to wage war. Social, economic, and political causes that pushed colonists into action are examined, along with a consideration of colonial grievances in their own words. Although factors such as geography and population in relation to Britain are discussed, the overarching question of why the colonies chose to unite is emphasized. Victory in the Revolutionary War was anything but certain. Disparate interests and local differences threatened unity, as did regional divides between wealthy seaboard elites and self-sufficient backcountry farmers. Failure to grasp the colonies’ emerging collective identity often led to missed opportunities by Britain, who treated the rebellion as a local insurrection rather than open war (K. Batchelor, 2018).

In part, the struggle was a reaction to specific injustices that seemed on the surface uniquely provincial. However, it was also the outcome of a broader process whereby colonists began to see themselves not just as individual subjects of the crown but more as a people. In the wake of the so-called “Intolerable Acts,” the colonists began to think of themselves collectively, or at least enough of them to forge a united response to Britain. The word “people” appeared with increasing frequency in descriptions of the collective body taking action, beginning with the first Continental Congress in 1774, which sent a petition to the king “in the name of the People of America.” Earlier actions were described as taken by “the Colonies,” but now they were being taken by “the People” (J Kubik, 2016). Understanding the causes of the Revolutionary War is essential to understanding what it meant for the Patriots to win and why they felt they had to fight in the first place.

2.1. Taxation Without Representation

The words "taxation without representation" encapsulate one of the central grievances that fueled the desire for independence among the American colonists. While the phrase is often invoked to represent anger over high taxes, it encompasses far more than simply taxes and indicates—as does the phrase “the pursuit of happiness”—a much deeper problem. Indeed, the point of anger over taxes is not merely high taxes, but rather a lack of adequate representation in the government that imposes those taxes. Up until 1770, the British government had imposed many taxes on the American colonies, but as people resisted these taxes, their anger was directed not only at the taxes themselves, but also at what they regarded as a lack of governance. Because the American colonists had no representatives in the British Parliament, they were subjected to the arbitrary rule of that Parliament (J Kubik, 2016). The Stamp Act and Townsend Acts both imposed taxes that met with fierce opposition, as did many other attempts by the British government to impose taxes on the colonies. Colonial anger only mounted over the British response to the protests, which Parliament viewed as insubordination rather than as justified concern over abuses of power. Colonial anger boiled into open rebellion when the British tried to use force to suppress those protests.

The anger over “taxation without representation,” although it focused on taxes, also highlights far more general issues regarding governance. To the colonists, the British Parliament was acting as a tyrant, ruling over them arbitrarily rather than as a legitimate government (L Wagner, 2018). They felt that they had no choice but to seek independence in order to protect their rights as Englishmen. The phrase “taxation without representation” also indicates an ideological framework that was widely recognized among the colonists. After they declared their intent to separate, the Continental Congress felt it necessary to declare the reasons for the separation, the most well-known being the Declaration of Independence. Within that declaration, Jefferson articulated a philosophy of government that revolves around the importance of individual rights and representation. According to this philosophy, if a people’s rights are being violated by a government, that people has the right to seek a new government. This philosophy became widely recognized and accepted among the colonial elite and would come to be used to justify the separation from Great Britain. While a call for independence may have seemed improbable given the circumstances of only a year earlier, Jefferson’s declaration made it an inevitability.

3. Key Battles and Strategies

The focus on certain battles is not only to give a better understanding of the events that helped shape the outcome of the revolutionary war, but also to better understand the decisions that generals made. The hope is that by unpacking battles such as Lexington and Concord, bunker hill, and Yorktown along with the strategies of both the British and Patriots, a clearer picture is painted of the victory of the Patriots. It’s often said that you can’t win a war without winning battles. While not entirely accurate, as it’s possible to win a war without fighting any battles, it is mostly true. A successful military campaign strategy requires the collaboration of many different groups, often including local militia groups and foreign allies. Military engagements also require the buy-in of the general public, as the desire for victory must be greater than the desire to avoid casualties or loss of property. If a population believes the cost of victory is too great, they may withdraw support for the military engagement altogether. Therefore, military engagements are about much more than simply fighting. They involve planning, coordination, strategy, and often jump from one possible outcome to a completely different one (Lenards, 2019). Understanding the details of specific battles provides insight into how the tide of war turned in the Patriots’ favor. The Battle of Lexington and Concord is often credited as the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The events that transpired on April 19th, 1775, set off a chain reaction of violence between the Patriots and the British. The conflict began with an intelligence leak from a Boston innkeeper that alerted the Patriots that a British raid was planned to seize a large cache of weapons hidden in concord. Général Gage ordered around 700 troops to march on concord, but word got out and several patriot riders were sent to warn the Minutemen. One of the riders, Paul Revere, famously made his way through the countryside yelling “the regulars are out!” (K. Batchelor, 2018). The Minutemen had a large meeting planned for that evening where it was expected they would organize to protect concord, so the British hoped to surprise them before they could mobilize. Around 5 am on April 19th, the British troops arrived in Lexington and were met by 77 Minutemen on the town green. A shot rang out, and although it is still unknown who fired it, it sent both sides into chaos. The British troops fired into the crowd and killed 8 Patriots. The remaining Minutemen fled, and the British continued on to concord. At this point, the Patriots got lucky. Patriot intelligence had proven superior to that of the British, and several militia leaders were able to organize groups of Minutemen to converge on concord from multiple towns and angles. Arriving in concord, the British found a much larger group of Minutemen waiting for them. After a short skirmish at the North Bridge in concord where two British soldiers were killed, the British retreated. As they began their march back to Boston, thousands of militia joined the fight, and the once confident British soldiers were ambushed and harassed the entire way home. By the end of the day, the British had suffered 273 casualties compared to the Patriots’ 92.

3.1. Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga, which took place in September and October 1777, is often viewed as the turning point of the Revolutionary War in favor of the Patriots. Strategically, the battles at Saratoga represented the culmination of a complex, multi-pronged British campaign designed to isolate New England and stamp out the rebellion. The plan was organized by General John Burgoyne, who would lead over 8,000 Redcoats, Canadian militia, and Native Americans south from Quebec. To support his advance, two other British commanders were to take separate routes: Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger would move east from Lake Ontario to capture Fort Stanwix, and General William Howe would advance up the Hudson from Albany (Joseph Hitechew, 2007). Unfortunately for Burgoyne, St. Leger’s force was defeated at Oriskany by a combined American force of militiamen and Oneida warriors, and Howe not only abandoned his part of the plan but also decided to attack Philadelphia instead. In contrast, Burgoyne found himself isolated and besieged by Patriot militia. The American forces, led by General Gates and Benedict Arnold, acted quickly and boldly, moving to outflank Burgoyne and cut off his last route to safety. On October 7, 1777, they struck him in the Battle of Saratoga, defeating him decisively.

Saratoga was a great victory for the Americans. Burgoyne, with about 6,000 troops, surrendered on October 17. The victory was not only a significant American triumph but also a shattering blow for the British. They had lost the initiative in the North, and the unexpected reversal at Saratoga profoundly altered the war’s course. Nowhere was the psychological impact greater than in the rebellions’ 13 colonies. The American victory at Saratoga had an enormous effect on the war. For the first time, many Patriots felt that victory was truly possible. Saratoga revitalized the American cause, which, until that point, had appeared to be floundering. Moreover, the victory at Saratoga was critical in convincing France that the Americans had a chance to win the war. The French had long wanted revenge on the British for their defeat in the French and Indian War. Now, they were willing to openly support the Americans, which they had previously done in secret (K. Batchelor, 2018). With France’s involvement, the war would become a global conflict, stretching British resources and bringing troops and money to the Americans. The ramifications of Saratoga are one of the reasons why the battle is often considered the turning point of the war. Ultimately, Saratoga drew the world’s attention to the Americans and their cause.

4. Role of Foreign Allies

The American victory in the Revolutionary War was made possible (Williams, 2008). However, it is equally important to recognize that victories at Trenton, Saratoga, and Yorktown would not have happened without the support of allies and an understanding of the importance of international diplomacy in the fight for independence. The Treaty of Alliance with France was a critical turning point for the American cause. France’s entry into the war provided the Continental Army with significant military and financial assistance. The Army received powder, arms, and other supplies that helped bolster their battle against British forces. Moreover, foreign alliances, such as with France, helped shift perceptions of the Colonial rebellion abroad. With the formation of alliances, the American struggle for independence grew to be perceived as a fight for liberty against the oppressive Empire. The victory over a superpower was not just a triumph for the Americans but fostered a sense global solidarity against Britain. Due to the Franco-American Alliance and Lafayette’s efforts, the colonies also benefited from the service of crucial allies. After spending time in France gathering support for the American cause, Lafayette returned to America in 1777, helping to forge the Franco-American alliance. Lafayette quickly became a general in the Continental Army, and his efforts proved invaluable at the Siege of Yorktown, where American and French forces surrounded the British and brought about their defeat. Lafayette had also promised Washington to secure maximum French involvement in America, and Washington and Rochambeau cooperated effectively. The American army was greatly understaffed, with only about 9,000 men present at Yorktown. Lafayette was tasked with leading 5,000 men to Virginia and sending word to French allies in the West Indies to send ships. The manpower and tactical assistance provided by Rochambeau were crucial. A major asset in Lafayette’s victory with the French navy was Admiral de Grasse, who provided both men and warships, establishing a blockade in the Chesapeake that cut the British forces off from escape and resupply. Without the foreign aid and the adjustment to tactics and strategy offered by these allies, the American forces would likely have fell defeated.

4.1. France's Support

During the Revolutionary War, France's support proved pivotal to the Patriots' victory, especially after the American triumph at the Battle of Saratoga. France, initially hesitant due to her own civil unrest and monetary complexities, entered the fray like a predator, wanting to weaken Britain's global dominance (Williams, 2008). King Louis XVI authorized military support in 1777, leading to the treaty of alliance in 1778, which guaranteed protection for the budding nation. France's military, financial, and logistical assistance completely turned the tides of the war. Several thousand French troops were stationed on American soil, along with naval support, arms, and ammunition. The Patriots also had French generals, such as Rochambeau and Lafayette, keenly invested in the American cause. French ships proved instrumental in cornering the British navy at Yorktown. France's involvement was neither mere charity nor heavily idealistic; it was an essential military decision. Like many colonial powers, France dreaded Britain's ever-growing global supremacy in trade, troops, and territory. However, the French government was far from benevolent; the desire to crush Britain stemmed from their own Enlightenment-inspired social turmoil. France's assistance was indispensable in shackling Britain's overreaching grip on America. Ultimately, French generals’ preventative measures, like Rochambeau’s insistence on an alliance with France and Lafayette’s faith in the Patriots, turned Providential; the final confrontations in Virginia could have gone awry otherwise. That said, France's involvement wasn't deeply strategic; at its core, it was a reaction to Enlightenment ideals too. For France, supporting the Patriots meant standing against tyranny's triumph, especially post-Lexington when the tenor of the American quest for independence took a deeper ideological shade.

5. Legacy of the Revolutionary War

Reflecting on the Revolutionary War, the text considers its lasting legacy, particularly the principles of liberty and self-governance that emerged from the conflict. As the United States became an independent nation, the moment is viewed as a pivot point that challenged traditional monarchies and set an unprecedented course. The war is described as a struggle that not only altered America but also inspired democratic movements around the globe, addressing the question of why it was a catalyst for change beyond American borders. The multitude of social and political ramifications that arose from the revolt is noted, including heated debates over freedom and equality, as well as liberty’s limits (N. Katz, 1977). The enduring symbols and narratives that arose from the Revolution, such as the depiction of the Founding Fathers, the Boston Tea Party, and Paul Revere’s midnight ride, and how they continue to resonate in American culture and identity are also examined. In a similar vein, the observation that “the Revolution meant different things to different people, and… the very ambiguity of its meaning to contemporaries accounts for much of its power and persistence” is considered.

The discussion notes that while a great deal was achieved in realizing the Revolution’s ideals, there were also significant failures, particularly the denial of most of those ideals to women, Native Americans, and African Americans. With a recognition that “no revolution ever completely fulfills its promise,” the text attempts to both interpret the meaning of the Revolutionary War and connect it to the present, while also acknowledging its shortcomings (R. Spoerlein, 2013). Historical segregation-slavery at public history sites of the Revolutionary War era is discussed, along with how the history of slavery during the Revolutionary Era is largely ignored in the classroom. Finally, it is concluded that the Revolutionary War is a defining moment in world history and that the persistence of its mistakes, despite its many successes, continues to shape the narrative.

References:

• K. Batchelor, D. (2018). Museum of Revolutionary Women (MRW) Exhibition Tour and Companion Catalog. [PDF]
• Ewing, S. (2017). Scriptural Justification for the American Revolution. [PDF]
• J Kubik, T. (2016). The Nature of the Union: The Evolution of Understandings about Government and Society Under the Early Continental Congresses, 1774-1776
• L Wagner, R. (2018). The Stamp Act: Revolutionary Resistance in New York.
• Lenards, B. (2019). The Evolution of Military Tactics: A Series.
• Joseph Hitechew, M. (2007). Unanimous Voice, Unanimous Symbol: George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
• Williams, G. (2008). March to Victory.
• N. Katz, S. (1977). Republicanism and the Law of Inheritance in the American Revolutionary Era.
• R. Spoerlein, B. (2013). Historical segregation : slavery at public history sites of the Revolutionary War era.