Star-spangled banner - an English view

[I think not]

GW KNEW he had to keep the army in tact. As long as there was a standing colonial army, there was a Revolution. Just like Grant and Lee in the US Civil War

That was precisely George Washington's strategy. Wear them down. Supplies and equipment were being brought in from England. Washington knew he couldn't defeat the British, they had more experience on the battlefield and more organized (although their supply lines weren't and it was also costly).

You both talk about the French, don't forget the Germans and the Indians that were fighting on the British side.

 

[Daz_Hockey]

Yep, you've got a good point there ITN, the Germans as well as the Indians fought on both sides, but bare in mind most of the aristocracy in Great Britain (and those were the one's, mostly, backing these colonies) were German or of German heritage.

And as for the Indians, well as I said before, I think they were very naive on both sides, I'd have kept well clear if I was them.But were all friends now.....although to be honest, you'll need a degree in Polish soon if you want to visit the UK any time soon and our history will be completely different

 

[I think not]

Eaglesmack referenced a book; "Iron Tears". It's a remarkable historical account of the American Revolution from a British point of view. You should read if you are interested.

As for the Natives, no other peoples have stirred my sympathy as much as the inidegenous populations of the Americas (North and South), as well as Australia. The "white man" was the cause of millions upon millions of people being wiped off the map. They were used time and again.

 

[EagleSmack]

A good number of the British forces were Hessian mercenaries. That is an interesting point on Native Americans. Whereas in the French & Indian War they were very much a part of it, you do not hear to much about that wrt the Revolution.

 

[Blackleaf]

It is foolish to claim "Canadians" even existed during the War of 1812. Upper and Lower Canada existed for sure, but they were all British Subjects,

Americans were also British subjects up until at least 1776. So, if you take the view that America won the War of Independence, then you're obviously also saying that the British won the War of Independence because Americans didn't even exist at the time.

 

[EagleSmack]

C'Mon Blackleaf! What a stretch!

But we can play a bit. If we claimed our Independence in 1776 then that means we are no longer British. The war was finished in what 1781 I think? So the new American did in fact beat the British.

The war wasn't over in 1776 it was really just warming up.

 

[Blackleaf]

The American war of Independence was just a British Civil War. It was British subjects from Britain fighting British subjects who had settled in North America.

 

[CDNBear]

The American war of Independence was just a British Civil War. It was British subjects from Britain fighting British subjects who had settled in North America.

Do we need to break down that not everyone fighting considered themselves British again?

 

[Daz_Hockey]

Do we need to break down that not everyone fighting considered themselves British again?

Exactly, I'm sure I've mentioned, and been rubbutled several times that it was really a civil war.

 

[CDNBear]

Exactly, I'm sure I've mentioned, and been rubbutled several times that it was really a civil war.

Not you again,lol.

Today, when I go to the Legion after the Memorial, I'm going to take a sip of beer and say a prayer for your Grand Father Daz.

He'ld be proud of you bru.

Keep the faith.

Je me Souviens

 

[I think not]

Have I ever agreed with Blackleaf? Maybe once or twice in over a year posting on these forums. So, I'll do it again.

He is not wrong, neither is Daz. It is all a matter of perspective. It can be easily seen as a "civil war" from a British point of view. It can just as easily be seen as a "rebellion" from a British point. It can also be seen as a War of Indepedence, as Americans see it.

In the end, what matters is that two great countries over the years have put their past differences aside and have become friends.

Cheers.

 

[Daz_Hockey]

Not you again,lol.

Today, when I go to the Legion after the Memorial, I'm going to take a sip of beer and say a prayer for your Grand Father Daz.

He'ld be proud of you bru.

Keep the faith.

Je me Souviens

hehe yeah, I thought I'd just pop my head up.

Cheers, yeah my grandfathers' just come back from the cenotaph, said it was quite moving that not many were still left. he laid a reef for my great-grandfather who died just before he was born of injuries caused by gas and injuries sustained while a POW in WW1....he said that, ok, going over the top would usually end in death to a soldier, your safety wasn't always assured when you got into enemy bunkers.

Thanks for that though.

 

[EagleSmack]

The American war of Independence was just a British Civil War. It was British subjects from Britain fighting British subjects who had settled in North America.

In 1776 the Continental Congress decalared it's Independence from Britain and said they are no longer British. They do not fight as the West British or New British or Colonial British Army... they fight as the Americans.

Britain surrenders to the Americans... Americans win.

Case closed.