Who Fought In The Revolutionary War
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The Revolutionary War was one of the most tumultuous conflicts in American history. It pitted the 13 British colonies in North America against Great Britain and its powerful military. Although it took place between 1775 and 1783, some of the forces for both sides had been preparing for war for much longer.
At the start of the Revolutionary War, the military forces of the 13 colonies were faced with a formidable force with superior weapons, naval power, and trained troops under King George III’s command. The colonists initially fought with a militia force mainly composed of frontiersmen, country farmers and tradesmen mixed with some experienced British army veterans. This irregular fighting force consisted of volunteer militias and committees of safety.
The British forces were well-trained and prepared, which gave them an edge in combat. They were made up of professional soldiers from the regular British Army and Royal Navy. In addition to these forces, the British also had local Loyalists who fought for the king, German mercenaries, and Iroquois Indians. The British Navy was especially important during the war, blockading American ports to prevent supplies and reinforcements from reaching American forces.
The American forces were bolstered by a few key players. Most prominent were George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army; the French, who provided experienced generals and supplies; and the Continental Marines, who provided naval support and conducted amphibious raids on British positions.
The Revolutionary War also saw the involvement of several key figures. General Nathanael Greene was a major-general in the Continental Army and played an important role in the Battles of Saratoga and Cowpens. General Charles Cornwallis was a British Army officer and commander who led forces in the South and was ultimately defeated at Yorktown. Finally, Lafayette, a French officer and major-general in the Continental Army, provided invaluable support during the war.
Ultimately, it was the combination of military forces from the British and Colonial sides together with the contributions of political leaders, soldiers, and civilians that won the Revolutionary War and independence for the United States.