The American Revolution from a British POV

[Mike Abberton]

There is a pretty good documentary series in progress on the History Channel at the moment called the Revolution that provides a good overview the causes and the engagements of the American Revolution. The latest episode involved the Battle of Saratoga and the beginning of direct French involvement. It will be interesting to see thier take on the impact of the French on the war.

I would say that French involvement contributed greatly to the final outcome of the Revolution as it actually happened, but that it is unlikely that, if the French had not gotten involved (at least directly) that there was no way the England could have won in such a manner that the everything would go back to the way it was before 1775.

Regarding whether the war could be considered a Civil War or not, depends on what you mean, I guess. I do not think it could any way be considered the first American civil war. Except maybe in the South, there was just not that much fighting between Colonials and other Colonials. Sure there were plenty of loyalists that assisted the British and even eventually left the Colonies in the end, but loyalist factions in the northern cities at least were pretty passive. They didn't flock to the British banner, at least not in anything like the numbers that the Patriots did.

One thing you also have to remember is that I think there was a gradual transition of the majority of people towards the Patriot cause as the war when along. Crown loyalists were probably leaving in some numbers, and I think the fence sitters of 1774-5 tended to end up in the Patriot camp over time. Hell, when the Revolution began in 1775, even a lot of the Patriots were not really contemplating total independence from England. But I think as shots were fired and the casualties rose on both sides, independence became more of natural goal for the Patriots culminating in the Declaration in 1776.

Now on the other hand, the American Revolution could easily be considered an English Civil War, in the sense that you had English citizens on both sides of the conflict.