AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Wartime Advantages & Disadvantages (Day 50/309)

Welcome to today’s explanation of Wartime Advantages & Disadvantages in my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

British Royal Navy, Wikimedia Commons

At the outset of the war, Britain had considerable advantages. Not only was their military 400% larger but it was also well-trained and experienced. They had a strong central government with available funds and manufacturing abilities to support the war effort.

Battle of Bunker Hill, Wikimedia Commons

However, the large distance between Britain and the battlefields, weak military leaders, and British sympathies for the American cause challenged their ability to wage war over time.

Continental Army, Wikimedia Commons

Most American soldiers were untrained and supplies were extremely limited. The new government lacked a strong central power with which to enact wartime policies.

General George Washington, Britannica

However, fighting on home territory and the leadership of Washington and others, inspired American colonies to persist toward the cause of independence.

While the British maintained significant financial and military advantages, their strategy of dividing and conquering was unproductive. The Continental Army waged a defensive war of attrition that eventually overcame their numerous military disadvantages.

Join me tomorrow as I explain the Battle of Trenton & Actions of the American Military in our next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!