Free Response APUSH

The victory of the United States against Great Britain in the Revolutionary war was, and continues to be one of the biggest upsets militarily. The Superior British army seemed to have every advantage, however the United States experienced key political, diplomatic, and military advantages that led to the success of the Revolution. Politically the colonies had gone through many key changes in ideology that gave the idea of revolution the traction that it would need to gain public support. The people that encouraged revolution such as Thomas Paine, the writer of the essay entitled common sense, would be crucial in uniting the American people into a fighting force that could withstand the terrible devastation that a war with Britain would precipitate. Another political ideology that would prove crucial was the enlightenment movement that started before the Revolution. Enlightenment was a movement spearheaded by intellectuals. These reformers sought to challenge ideas that were accepted as common place in their respective societies. The unrepresented taxation by the British was one of the many policy that had become simply accepted without resistance or action until the enlightenment movement. Colonists were able to see that the world that they lived in was unfair and that it was within their power to change that and make it right. Overall politics had a very profound effect in uniting the people of the United States under certain ideologies. This unification allowed them to start the revolution. Although politics would not win them any fighting once the war had begun it was a crucial aspect of why the colonies were able to win the war. Foreign diplomacy by the colonies and the United States would be an even more important aspect of their victory. Although in May of 1775 the Olive Branch petition would be a step away from confrontation with Britain, diplomacy in later years would be key in securing victory against Great Britain. In 1778 the United States would