The possession of provinces, cities, fortresses, roads, bridges, etc., may be the immediate objective of an engagement, but never the ultimate one. Karl Von Clausewitz The American Revolution is an historical analogy of David and Goliath. As in the biblical story, the numerically inferior and untested Colonial forces led by General George Washington (David) prevailed over Great Britain’s vastly superior and experienced forces led by General William Howe (Goliath). Some will claim that America’s victory, like David’s, was the result of divine providence but military strategists will tell you that it was America’s superior strategy that delivered the military outcome necessary for it to assert independence from Great Britain. General George Washington’s strategy of erosion effectively outlasted Great Britain’s will to fight a costly war on American soil.
The Revolutionary War was one of the most important events in history for America and Britain. The war, in a way, helped America become its own nation and declare independence from Britain. At the time of the Revolutionary War, the English were in control of the Americans. Both sides had crucial advantages over each other that decided the outcome of the war. Let’s start with colonists; one of the biggest advantages they had over Britain was they had a major cause for wanting to fight.
The colonies debated England's power to tax them and did not wish to be taxed without representation. Consequently the American Revolution began, and the probability of the colonies winning was not bright, but the patriots were willing to fight to become a free, independent nation. The Patriots used several different strategies to defeat the “Lobster Backs.” During and after the war, people began thinking of extremely radical ideas that were exceptionally revolutionary of the time. There were numerous, significant people that contributed to military intelligence of the American Revolution. With the odds against the colonies, George Washington kept the revolution alive by staying one step ahead of the British.
Militarily, in order for the strategy to succeed, they only needed a decisive victory over Washington's fledgling army. However, the colonial leaders argued that the outcome of the Revolution depended upon keeping an army in the field harassing the British and merely had to avoid losing. Both George Washington in the northern campaign, and Nathaniel Greene in the southern campaign, executed similar strategies. Both leaders actively avoided direct battle with the British Army except when strategically useful. They looked for opportunities to attack isolated
Sophie Shepherd ‘The Falklands War was Thatcher’s most successful foreign policy achievement’. How far do you agree with this view? Margaret Thatcher’s aims concerning foreign policy were to maintain the special relationship with America, defeat communism, to make peace in the cold war and to raise the status of Britain. The Falklands War was Thatcher’s most successful foreign policy achievement because it created more than one successful outcome. Although this was a great achievement, Thatcher did have other successes such as with the EU, America and defeating communism whilst working closely with Gorbachev to act as a peacemaker in the Cold War.
Odysseus uses deception as tool which makes it acceptable because his main objective is to save his men. Correct use of deception is evident during the American Revolution. Colonists used the espionage system to help them win the war. It allowed them to deceive the British soldiers by allowing them to mobilize their troops across the East coast and warn allies of Britain’s future attacks. The use of deception allowed the colonists to win the American Revolution and escape Britain’s tyrannical rule over them.
Since the North Vietnamese had the initiative instead of the U.S., it was possible for their elaborate campaign of deception to succeed in maintaining the element of surprise, even though the U.S. discovered numerous details of the attack to come. After General Westmoreland took over command in Vietnam, he decided that far more American combat involvement was necessary to enable the struggling South Vietnamese military to resist the more disciplined and organized Communists. The general had gained approval for the buildup of troops because American troops seemed to be winning most of their battles with the North Vietnamese and the Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam. Westmorland’s idea was to use superior American force, supported by overwhelming air bombardment and artillery fire, not to seize or hold territory but to kill enemy soldiers in their jungle
George Washington’s ambition enabled him to conceive new concepts that would facilitate the American cause in the rebellion against the English. Innovative ideas and the ability to take risks permitted the Americans to capitalize on their assets and bolster weaknesses. Washington’s ambitions and courageousness were shown in the militia he commanded. The presence of the army and its readiness to fight prevented the British to pronounce proper victory. As a visionary leader, he proposed a new country that would thrive without the relentless scrutiny of its Mother country.
Much of his creativity is an affect of the difficulties and obstacles he faces. Hurdles and limitations are essential, for without them a lack in improvement and progress would be apparent. Many significant historical revolutions would not have taken place if it werent for restrictions and closed doors. The American Revolution began due to multiple regulations being imposed on the American colonists. They had been complacent in their nature to accept ruling from the British before they were faced with limitations, including the Proclamation of 1763 and the Tea Act.
The British tried to use conventional tactics against the Americans and failed because the Americans knew that a conventional battle would be hopeless for them. The Americans resorted to guerilla warfare and conducted a long drawn out fight to outlast the British and eventually break their will to wage war. This was extremely effective and eventually led to a victory for the insurgents (the