Strategy Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategy Paper - Essay Example To analyze this phenomenon, WJ Wood had this to say i.e. "The Americans did not simply outlast the British in the Revolutionary War, but, won their independence by employing superior strategies, tactics and leadership".2 Wood was however, only half-correct because Britain, with its status as the world's prime conqueror and as a veteran of many major wars, was no stranger and in fact replete with superior strategies and wily tactics and was blessed with the best military leaders. Therefore, there must be other factors that went into the equation to produce Britain's shameful defeat. First consideration was the fact that Britain was waging a war in a land, more than 3,000 miles away and we can only conjecture that there would be problems of logistics and communication PM Lord North, Secretary of State George Germain) "never provided the timely guidance and the commanders in the field never furnished accurate enough predictions of what to expect and differed so much among themselves as to the proper course to pursue".3 A more formidable problem was the difficulty of sending transports of ammunitions, military equipment and troops just in time to stem the tide of a particular battle in Britain's favor. It also had to battle inclement weather and fierce winds. Second consideration, was the fact that Britain had to design a multi-pronged strategy to answer simultaneous threats that may divide the kingdom. The American rebellion was only one front. The possible invasion by France and Spain was another. The need to cohesively cement its hold on Canada, West Indies, Gibraltar and India was yet another. It was clear that these "limited the options available to the British"4 and not to mention divide the British forces. In sharp contrast, the colonists were waging a war in their own backyard. Thus, they enjoyed the advantage of a familiar terrain and a cooperative citizenry, called the militia, which is generally hostile to the British. The strategies and tactics may not be at par with British standards but they were well coordinated, controlled and centralized by the Continental Congress based in Philadelphia and later in Annapolis, Md. To finance the war, the Congress employed diplomatic and psychological strategy on France and Spain with successful results. The rest of the money was obtained through deft arm twisting of the populace i.e. loans; forced loans with certificates of indebtedness; levies; issuance of continental currency. In that age when cellphones, internet, two-way radios haven't seen the light of day, the colonists had the Committee of Safety, composed of mounted messengers of which Paul Revere was the most