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How was the War of Independence fought?. Lesson Objectives To identify the weapons used by each side To evaluate which side was more likely to win the War of Independence and why To explain the factors which contributed to Britain losing the war. Wednesday 4 th May 2011. America Britain.
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How was the War of Independence fought? • Lesson Objectives • To identify the weapons used by each side • To evaluate which side was more likely to win the War of Independence and why • To explain the factors which contributed to Britain losing the war Wednesday 4th May 2011
The Two Sides The table below shows what each side was like in 1775, when the War of Independence started. Use the information in the table to write an answer to the question; Who do you think was more likely to win? Why?
Why did Britain lose? • Distance • Time • Terrain • Allies • Tactics How would the long distance between Britain and the US affect Britain? How would the time for reports and orders to reach British troops in America affect Britain? Why would the size of America and the vast plains and mountain ranges pose a problem to the British? Why would America’s allies and Britain having no allies be a problem? Why did Americans use lots of guerrilla tactics?
Why did Britain lose? • Distance • Time • Terrain • Allies • Tactics DISTANCE • America was a long way from Britain • It took a long time to ship troops and supplies to America
Why did Britain lose? • Distance • Time • Terrain • Allies • Tactics TIME • Reports to London were about 2 months out of date by the time they arrived • Orders to America usually arrived after the situation had changed • Generals in America had to do the best they could
Why did Britain lose? • Distance • Time • Terrain • Allies • Tactics TERRAIN • America was huge and the British couldn’t control the area by force – not enough manpower. • Troops needed to be stationed in a town or revolutionaries would take control again – limited the number of troops in the field. • Hard to operate away from a port – due to supplies.
Why did Britain lose? • Distance • Time • Terrain • Allies • Tactics ALLIES • Spain, France and the Netherlands joined on the side of the colonists. • Their new allies gave them more man power, money and supplies.
Why did Britain lose? • Distance • Time • Terrain • Allies • Tactics TACTICS • The Revolutionaries often used guerrilla warfare tactics. • Hit and run attacks. • If you do not fight a traditional battle – then you can not be defeated.