What Do British People Think Of The American War Of Independence?

[CloudyStxrs]

The title says it all

[1ozzy]

What a waste of tea leaves?

[davebro]

As a British person I don't think about it at all. Too much else to consider.

[emmie]

don't consider it at all, we lost, we got over it.

[Hopkirk]

I don't know much about it.

[johnk]

Never think about it.

[sevenOP]

It was a good start, but was spoiled by subsequent behaviour.

[davebro]

On reflection if Britain had won then Americans & probably the rest of the world would be driving on the correct side of the road.

[Buenchico]

Many Brits see the American War of Independence as a very small, and largely insignificant, part of our history.

Our National Curriculum, which lays out what must be taught in schools, doesn't specifically refer to it at all. (It can be included in young people's education but it doesn't have to be). Therefore most people here know very little about it.

[andy-hughes]

Buenchico - // Our National Curriculum, which lays out what must be taught in schools, doesn't specifically refer to it at all. (It can be included in young people's education but it doesn't have to be). Therefore most people here know very little about it. //

History is written by the victors, so we gloss over that bit of it.

[naomi24]

Justified.

[roadman]

i dont care about it better the british arent responsible for the usa

[MissTerious]

Turkeys is the only word that comes to mind!

[maggiebee]

Started in 1775 so I don't really think about it. Learned a bit about it at school in the early 60s.

[brian j john]

The British took a heavy beating then and the same happened to them some years after in the battle of New Orleans in which i believe losing over 2000 men

[Bobbisox1]

I feel a Lonnie Donnegan song coming on ;0/

[maggiebee]

Hahaha bobbisox, I was just thinking of "The Battle of New Orleans" when I read your thread.

[Bobbisox1]

I started singing it too Maggie :0))))

[Bobbisox1]

[Peter Pedant]

Not an awful lot
at school, we had to do the causes of the war
MANTUFT was a good mnemonic - M is Mercantilism, A - acts of parliament ? Activism T has to be Taxes

Then learn the course of the war - Bunkers Hill kicks off Cornwallis disastrous defeat 1783 - amphibious campaign where the RN wasnt told to land
Secretary of State was Sackville ( and he was - - sacked) who had previously been cashiered for cowardice at the Battle of Mindon 1742) 'forgot' to issue orders to the King's Nayvee for that one.
. Treaty negotiation in Paree 1783 - French were rapacious as they wished to be paid off for financing the American War as revenge for defeat in what you call the Indian War ( Seven years war 1756-63). Treaty negotiations were by Thos Jefferson who was a Minister Plenipotentiary and could contract on behalf of the whole lot ( not united yet I think) - convention poss
He wd take back the draft treaty and say "take it or leave it - that is IT" They took it.
Unlike Maastricht 1979 when the UK House of Commons started fiddling with the wording. I cant remember if Wilson was a minister plenipotentiary at Versailles 1918. Anyway congress did NOT accept what he had negotiated

The English were supportive of the Americans against punitive reparations ( payments back in kind to the French for their support). They should be moderate for a fledgling state. No one wd foretell that the French state under Necker would go bankrupt 1789 and the King would DDDDIIIIIEEEEE! 1793. Where did Lafayette come from? he was a great democrat and loyal subject of King Louis? I dont think so

and the consequences - The govt under Lord North ( the Kings Men) fell, and Pitt was latterly invited to become Prime Minister. The power of the King's men was broken. Altho it was said that Pitt's first office was Prime Minister, it wasnt. he had been Chancellor for a few months earlier. He refused ANY office except prime minister. Power of royal political patronage broken by the scrapping of sinecures ( very technical).

Colonies reform _ India Act 1784. Upper and Lower Canada Acts 1790s.

Yes that just about covers it

honest soneone asked what I thought about the War of Independence. What about the 13 colonies, who they were, what they became, the convention, did the later govt pay for the acts of the earlier ones. Oh god who cares about that

someone asked - honest someone asked
I swear there was a question what do you think .....

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah I dont lie in bed awake worrying about it.
This is not an English lad getting us to do his homework?
I wd say, Read your history book, you idle fellow!

oh foo
during this - there was Le secret du Roy
The secret of who? Roy for chrissakes

The French govt appointed ambassadees, but they had to go froo Louis XVI - who on their interview - would get them to agree that - There Monsieur A was at X, and get his order from Paree, A would send them back to the King who would resent what he wanted back to A
Two months lag each way - 6 m lag overall

Big time gap BUT Louis retained control of foreign policy
https://www.britannica.com/topic/le-Secret-du-roi
read all abart it