Assess Both Patriot And British Strengths And Weaknesses
Assess Both Patriot And British Strengths And Weaknesses When The R
Assess both Patriot and British strengths and weaknesses when the Revolution began. How did the United States win the War against such a powerful adversary? Your response should be at least 200 words in length. You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.
A number of disagreements occurred at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. What were they and how were they resolved? Your response should be at least 200 words in length. You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. The book is Out of Many Vol 1 Out of Many: A History of the American People (fifth edition) by John Mack Faragher, Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Czitrom, and Susan H Armitage. The book was taken from Out of Many: A History of the American People, Volume 1, Fifth Edition, written by the aforementioned authors. I can send pictures of the book I have scanned it.
Paper For Above instruction
The American Revolution stands as a pivotal moment in history, highlighting the stark contrast between the strengths and weaknesses of the Patriots (American colonists) and the British Army. Understanding how the United States emerged victorious against the world's preeminent military power involves analyzing strategic, ideological, and societal factors that contributed to their success.
At the onset of the Revolution, the British Commonwealth was a formidable adversary. The British military boasted a well-trained, professional army, a large navy capable of controlling the seas, and substantial resources supported by a powerful empire. These strengths allowed the British to quickly attempt to suppress rebellion through conventional warfare, using their superior troop numbers and military infrastructure. Additionally, the British employed loyalist forces, and Hessian mercenaries, which augmented their military capacity (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 143). Conversely, the Patriots had notable weaknesses. They lacked a standing army, had limited resources, and were initially politically fragmented. Their military forces primarily consisted of militia, which were less disciplined and trained than regular British troops, and logistical challenges hampered their operations (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 144). Furthermore, the Patriots faced the challenge of unifying their diverse colonies with differing interests and levels of support for independence.
If the Patriots were at a military disadvantage, their resilience and strategic innovations played crucial roles. The Americans capitalized on their knowledge of the local terrain, utilizing guerrilla tactics, hit-and-run attacks, and avoiding traditional open-field battles that favored the British (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 147). The alliance with France in 1778 marked a turning point, providing the Patriots with substantial military aid, supplies, and naval support, which was critical in challenging British dominance at sea and on land. The Battle of Saratoga (1777), which resulted in a major American victory, was instrumental not only militarily but also diplomatically, as it secured French recognition and support (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 151).
The Patriots' perseverance was fueled by ideological motivation; they fought for self-determination, liberty, and a new political order, which strengthened their resolve. Their leadership under figures such as George Washington proved vital as they adopted flexible strategies and maintained morale despite setbacks. The combination of tactical ingenuity, diplomatic alliances, and ideological commitment allowed the Patriots to overcome their initial weaknesses and ultimately win the Revolutionary War against the formidable British Empire (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 153).
Disagreements at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and Their Resolutions
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was marked by intense debates and disagreements on the structure and principles of the new government. Key issues included the representation of states, the powers of the federal government, and the question of slavery. The Virginia Plan favored larger states by proposing representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan called for equal representation for all states, regardless of size. These conflicting proposals led to the Great Compromise, which created a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 210).
Another contentious issue was the balance of power between the federal government and the states. Delegates debated whether to grant Congress broader powers or to limit its authority. The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, resolved this by establishing a system of federalism that divided powers between the national and state governments. Regarding slavery, the convention faced disagreements over whether enslaved individuals should be counted for representation and taxation purposes. The Three-Fifths Compromise settled this debate by counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for both representation and taxation (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 213).
Furthermore, the issue of the executive branch prompted debate over the presidency's powers and term length. The compromisers agreed on a single executive elected indirectly through the Electoral College, with a four-year term, and the possibility of reelection. These resolutions reflected a pragmatic approach to resolving contentious issues, leading to the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, which balanced diverse interests and established the framework of American government (Faragher et al., 2018, p. 215).
References
- Faragher, J. M., Buhle, M. J., Czitrom, D., & Armitage, S. H. (2018). Out of Many: A History of the American People (5th ed.). Pearson.