Why England Lost the American Revolutionary War
This was an existential war for the rebellious Americans. If they lost, leaders would be hung, Tories (loyalists) would retaliate, English rule would be harsh and revengeful. On the other hand, England could sail away and still remain a global power. England had to win, which meant destroying the American Continental Army, disarming the militias, and establish strong political control. But the Americans did not have to win battles to win the war. They just had to continue to exist - keeping the Continental Army together - until the British decided that the war could not be won and had become too expensive. Opposition to the war in England was substantial and rose rapidly after 1780. King George’s cabinet was forced to resign and Parliament passed a bill to limit George’s unilateral power to fight wars (sound familiar?). Power returned to Parliament; this was the last time an English king or queen exerted any power. England had an average of over 30,000 troops bu...