The
main causes of the American war of Independence were as follows:
(a)
The main underlying cause was Britain's attempt to tighten imperial control in
the economic field by regulating American commerce and industry to suit British
interests.
(b)
English Navigation or Trade Acts required goods to be shipped to and from
America, only in English ships.
(c)
Many goods like tobacco, cotton, sugar could be sold only in England, where
they were taxed.
(d)
European goods sold to America had to be landed first in England, taxed and
then transported in English ships.
(e)
Americans were discouraged from manufacturing iron and textiles, which were
supplied from England.
(f)
Colonists were prevented from settling in West America as these lands had been
bought by the English aristocracy.
(g)
The Stamp Act increased the tension, as colonists were forced to pay a tax on
stamps which were to be fixed on many kinds of documents. This led to the
demand 'No taxation without representation'.
(h)
Americans objected to British taxation on consumer goods, particularly tea that
led to the Boston Tea Party and the beginning of the revolution.
Causes of
British failure in the American War of Independence
Great Britain lost the American War
for Independence for a number of reasons. These included the failure to
capitalize on loyalist support, fighting a war on unknown terrain, poor
communication between commands, and under-estimating colonial resistance. Many
of these blunders were exacerbated during the actual conflict, such as in the
Southern campaign. Finally, the decision makers in London, both military and
political, failed to understand the growth of colonial self-identity, notably
reflecting the ideal of individualism, self-reliance, and the yearning for self
representation. At first it may appear surprising that England should have
failed to put down the revolt of her American colonies. She has much greater
resources in men and money and had moreover the support of a large number of
loyalists in America. But all these advantages were neutralized by the many
mistakes which the English committed during the war. First they made the
mistake of under estimating the capacity of the enemy and so did not make
adequate military preparation. Secondly the Government at home interfered too
much with the plants of operation which should have been left largely to the
discretion of the responsible officers on the spot. Thirdly the distance across
the atlantic met it difficult for England in the days of selling ships to
transport man, munitions and supplies. Equally great was the difficulty of
carrying on operations in a vast roadless forest covered country infested by a
mobile enemy better acquired with the nature of the country. Lastly the most potent
cause of the failure of the English was the help which the colonists receive
from French after Saratoga.
The French fleet for a time wrested from England
the command of the sea and this proved fatal to the English cause. The
capitulation of Cornwallis at Yorktown was mailnly due to
the temporary loss of the command on the sea by the English. The colonists had
practically no navy and so the French navy was of invaluable help to them.