The War of American Independence 1775-1783

Wars rarely turn out as expected. This book shows how Britain entered a conflict that it believed could not be lost. The American Patriots were similarly optimistic about their martial prospects. Although they eventually secured independence, it was only with the assistance of France and indirectly Spain, who diverted British resources from the conflict in America, allowing France eventually to deliver a knockout blow at Yorktown. This extensive yet accessible exploration into the War of American Independence provides aclear analysis of why this complex conflict occurred and why it ended as it did, revealing the fragile nature of the American Patriot cause. An essential guide for any history student, including those specializing in war/peace studies and the study of international relations, as well the general reader with an interest in the study of war.

PREFACE and acknowledgementsCHAPTER 1: Britain and America come to Blows, 1763-1775 [4]1. John Bull and his Empire, 1763. 2. The Rights of British America3. A Tea Party in Boston: Parliament versus Congress4. The First Shot: Lexington and ConcordCHAPTER 2: The Fighting Begins, 1775 [18]1. Prospects and Perspectives of the Combatants2. Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston3. Congress widens the Conflict: Canada3. The Political Revolution: America Declares her IndependenceCHAPTER 3: Britain Reasserts her Authority, 1776 [44]1. Patriots and Loyalists: The Factors of Identity2. The Two Sides Prepare3. The British Invasion of New York4. Trenton and Princeton: the Patriot Cause Retrieved CHAPTER 4: The Unpredictable Fortunes of War, 1777 [73]1. The British Plan a New Offensive 2. Howe Goes to Philadelphia3. Burgoyne meets his match at Saratoga4. The Maritime Dimension, 1775-1777CHAPTER 5: France Comes to America’s help, 1778 [106]1. The French Connection, 1775-17782. Britain’s Strategic Options 3. Naval Preliminaries in Europe4. Valley Forge and the Fashioning of a New Army5. Clinton: Retreat and Retrenchment 6. Britain ventures into GeorgiaCHAPTER 6: Spain Enters the Conflict, 1779 [143]1. Spain and the American War2: Britain faces Invasion3. Stalemate in America4. Britain, Spain and Gibraltar CHAPTER 7: Changing Strategies, 1780 [170] 1. The Bourbon Powers alter their Focus2. The Struggle for Mastery in the West Indies3. Britain Looks Southwards: The Campaign for the Carolinas4. Northern Impasse: The Bankruptcy of Congress5. Europe: The League of Armed NeutralityCHAPTER 8: The North American Frontier, 1775-1781 [212]1. The Southeastern Mosaic2. The Struggle for the Ohio and Illinois3. The Devastation of Iroquoia CHAPTER 9: No Daylight at the Tunnel’s End, 1781 [237]1. France seeks a Resolution2. Washington’s Darkest Hour: the Continental Mutiny3. The Royal Navy bids Europe defiance4. Britain’s Southern Strategy UnravelsCHAPTER 10: Resolution at Yorktown [270]1. The War moves to Virginia 2. De Grasse and Rodney: The Naval Prelude3. Cornwallis ensnaredCHAPTER 11: End Game, 1782 [297]1. The Political and Military Consequences of Yorktown2. The War draws to a Close in America3. Britain strikes back in the Caribbean4. Europe: Final Operations5. A Peace takes Shape: The Treaty of 1783CONCLUSIONS AND CONSEQUENCES [319]APPENDIX: Washington on the art of Command, 10 Nov 1775BIBLIOGRAPHY [327]INDEX

Richard Middleton was for many years Lecturer and Reader in American History at Queen's University, Belfast. Among his various publications are The Bells of Victory: The Pitt-Newcastle Ministry and the Conduct of the Seven Years' War, 1757-1762 (Cambridge University Press, 1985 and 2002), Colonial America: A History to 1763 (Blackwell, 1992, 1996, 2002 (and 2011 with Anne Lombard) and Pontiac's War: Its Causes, Course and Consequences (Routledge, 2007). He is now an independent writer and scholar.