The American Revolution from a British POV

[Steel God]

Yes, in a nutshell the one great opportunity that I believe the English had was on Long Island. If Washington's army had not been allowed to escape after Brooklyn heights the revolution would have probably foundered.

After that was when Washington figured out he didn't need to win (on the strategic level) he merely needed to survive, and win enough at the tactical level to keep morale and therefore enlistments, up.

The victory at Saratoga, and the resulting recognition by France accelerated the British defeat, but even without that, I think the only change is a lengthening of the war. The English lacked the manpower to secure all 13 colonies, so as long as colonial resolve holds out, they win.

Paul