In the Revolutionary War that took place in the 1770’s, both sides had figureheads that were great leaders. However, sometimes that wasn’t always the case. Some people may believe that the Americans astounding victory of the Revolutionary War because of their motivation and purpose of fighting. Although that may be true, more presumably lack of motivation itself isn’t absolute. It is more plausible that leadership skills played a role in the lack of motivation. Many people agree that the deficient leadership skills are the cause of the British defeat in the Revolutionary War. This is because they had difficulty allocating the importance of the war on their part, and providing inspiring motivational speeches. Also, the British were often overconfident …show more content…
They were often putting their soldiers in unnecessary danger that could have easily been avoided. In particular, General John Burgoyne was responsible for the loss of the Battle of Saratoga. Because of arrogance lacked the effort to prepare himself and his troops for battle. He didn’t have much ammunition and lacked many other supplies. His war strategies were also poorly planned out. This had a great impact on the cause of the tragic loss on their behalf. This caused a sparked hope in the Americans and led the French to fully support and fight alongside the Americans as well. This information is just a fraction of endless examples on how the British arrogance played a part in their …show more content…
Without a good leader to motivate his/her people it doesn’t matter the riches, skills, and supplies. If the people don’t see the importance in the matter of which they are fighting for, then they either won’t take the task at hand seriously or perhaps just simply won’t do it at all. An example of how this plays a role in life today is the current presidency. Many people do not agree with the current elected president Donald Trump, but if we had no good leaders or role models to lead things such as protests, then our voices won’t be heard. With good leaders and role models to urge others on to do what's right, then anything at mind is possible. Our life is the way it is because of the leaders in our past. What would happen if there were no good leaders in this word? If there were only followers, and everyone resorted to violence? Would we still have slaves? Would we still discriminate? Would we all have the equal rights that we do today? The revolutionary war was won by the Americans because of the British's very poor leadership skills, overconfidence, and carelessness. With all this information at hand, now we can easily come to the conclusion
McCullough describes washington as a leader of many qualities in which makes him successful. After making the British evacuate from Boston, washington is praised for being such a courageous and smart leader, therefore lifting morale around American troops. The war most likely would not have been won without George Washington's help most likely due to his incredible leadership skills. The colonies are virtually nothing without George Washington because he keeps them together by asking congress to support them and as McCullough describes, is relentless about doing so as we're Knox and Greene later on. George Washington was so important that even the loyalists plotted to assassinate him with hopes to derail the American rebellion. However, the colonies success wasn't just off George washington. Mccullough describes the average british soldier as strong and more fit compared to the colonial soldier, superior and overall well trained.The fact that the colonies were untrained made the British cocky, Making them think they didn't have to use their superior weaponry thinking the Americans would surrender out of free will. McCullough gives us an insight to how the Americans tried new things using their resources making great things with what little they
had an opportunity to read a fascinating book called 1776 by David McCullough; this is his tenth Book he has written on the subject. In this endearing novel he describes several significant issues that George Washington had to overcome to secure his ultimate victory in 1783. The book also describes the first year of the American Revolution, especially the triumph of Boston and the failure at New York. The author details the challenges and struggles of creating and maintaining an army and then developing and drilling the militia that will be disciplined in the field of battle. He also writes that there were several problems that George Washington faced while leading the continental army. The first problem was that the militia had poor discipline and had no experience with the military, and the
In 1776, David McCullough gives a vivid portrayal of the Continental Army from October 1775 through January 1777, with sharp focus on the leadership of America’s greatest hero, George Washington. McCullough’s thesis is that had not the right man (George Washington) been leading the Continental Army in 1776, the American Revolution would have resulted in a vastly different outcome. He supports his argument with a critical analysis of Washington’s leadership during the period from the Siege of Boston, through the disastrous defense of New York City, the desperate yet, well ordered retreat through New Jersey against overwhelming odds, and concludes with the inspiring victories of Trenton and Princeton. By keeping his army intact and persevering through 1776, Washington demonstrated to the British Army that the Continental Army was not simply a gang of rabble, but a viable fighting force. Additionally, Mr. McCullough supports his premise that the key to the survival of the American Revolution was not in the defense of Boston, New York City, or any other vital terrain, but rather the survival of the Continental Army itself. A masterful piece of history, 1776 is not a dry retelling of the Revolutionary War, but a compelling character study of George Washington, as well as his key lieutenants, and his British adversaries, the most powerful Army in the 18th Century world. When I read this book, I went from a casual understanding of the hero George Washington to a more specific understanding of why Washington was quite literally the exact right man at the exact right place and time to enable the birth of the United States.
The American defeat of the British during the Revolutionary War was a direct result of George Washington's incredible leadership and generalship which epitomized the greatness of Sun Tzu's "Art of War"
During the War for American Independence, 78 men were commissioned as general officers into the Continental Army by the Continental Congress. Many of these generals commanded troops with differing levels of competence and success. George Washington is typically seen as most important general, however throughout the war a number of his subordinates were able to distinguish themselves amongst their peers. One such general was Nathanael Greene. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Greene would become Washington’s most important subordinate, as demonstrated by Edward Lengel’s assessment of Greene as “the youngest and most capable of Washington’s generals.” Washington and Greene developed a strong, positive and close relationship between themselves. Greene began his life in the military after having been raised a Quaker. With limited access to literature and knowledge in his younger years, Greene became an avid reader which equipped him with the knowledge necessary to excel as a general during the war. Through his devoted study of military operations, firsthand experience and natural abilities as a soldier, Greene became an excellent military commander. He would become known for his successful southern campaign, during which, he loosened British control of the South and helped lead the war to its climax at Yorktown. Throughout the war, he was involved in a number high profile battles where he built a reputation of being an elite strategist who also understood unconventional warfare, logistics, and the importance of military-civil affairs and had a natural political/social acumen. The thesis of this paper is that Greene’s proven reputation of being a soldier, strategist and statesman would cause him to become the second greates...
Many people possess leadership qualities although they don’t rule a country. Meriwether Lewis, the official leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition has been called “undoubtedly the greatest pathfinder this country has ever known.” Just like Hazel, Meriwether Lewis led a group of followers into unknown territory. The two guides faced many difficult situations that they were able to overcome since they had the qualities of a notable leader. Both of the journeys were rough, but because of the brave leaders both expeditions were successful.
In deed on June 6, 1944, the little town of Bedford, VA, suffered a tragedy that would never be forgotten. But through the pain and hardship some of officers who leaded the Bedford boys displayed remarkable leadership’s principles. One of the basic functions of leadership is to unite people: bring people together to achieve common objectives. There is truth in the statement, where there is unity there is strength. This essay will offer a working definition of effective leadership principles and discuss the function of leadership as it relates to followers, motivation and power.
This conclusion seemed to contradict every presumption about Great Britain’s imperial power. In all other conflicts, the British seemed to win decisively but the problem in the American Revolution lies with Britain underestimating the colonists. The British were blind to America’s symbolic presence as an end to an imperial structure. France and Spain aided the colonists in hopes of defeating the tyrannical empire. Britain underestimated George Washington and the Continental Army. Over time, the colonial militias trained in the European fashion and transformed into a challenging force. Ultimately, the most distinctive miscalculation of the British was the perseverance of the colonists and their fight for freedom. While Britain was fighting for control over yet another revenue source, America was fighting for independence and principle. The difference between the motivations was the predominant factor in deciding the
As an American observes the life around him, noting the many advancements made in merely the last century, he must wonder how America climbed to such a level. The 21st century technology, the military and political power, education and ethics, all came from such meager beginnings, solidified by the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War proved to be a significant turning point in the history of our country, but what caused America to win? What were some of the most significant factors in the victory of these American patriots? By examining these three particular factors, America’s military assets, it’s aid from other countries, and its own spirit of independence, one’s understanding of the Revolutionary War, an essential root of this nation, is truly increased.
Great generals are crucial to the prospering of a nation. They impart unity to a country and defend against any enemy it may encounter. There are two wars showcasing such brilliant generals in American history: the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. In one, the English colonists on the continent of North America broke off from their mother country to form their own. In the other, the nation of the United States, having been firmly established at that point, was fighting against itself over the issue of slavery. In both instances, the people needed strong, brave, and selfless generals to lead them through their trials. Generals George Washington of the Revolutionary War and Ulysses Grant of the Civil War are excellent exemplars of these qualities. While both generals were successful in their respective wars and are two of the greatest generals of American history, George Washington was superior to Ulysses Grant in several ways, including early successes, war strategies, effectiveness, and leadership.
In this essay I will be analyzing the adaptive leadership qualities of General John Stark from the state of New Hampshire in the United States of America. General John Stark was born August 28th, 1728 in Londonderry, New Hampshire and then later died on May 8th 1822 in Derryfield, New Hampshire at the age of 93. Stark would eventually be buried in a cemetery bearing his name, Starke cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire. John Stark served in many battles during the French and Indian war and later in the American Revolutionary war. Stark served with Rogers Rangers and eventually would attain the rank of Major General in the U.S. Continental Army.
While delving into the rich history of our country, one must come upon the topic of the Revolutionary War. This war was fought from 1775-1783 between the colonies and Britain over the taxes that were being put on goods for the colonists, but was the outcome of this war really so revolutionary? Revolutionary is involving or causing a complete or dramatic change. The outcome of the war was that the role of king was no longer held by anyone, and the role of president was taken up by George Washington, but none of these changes were complete or dramatic. Minority groups still had little to no rights, and the only people who really benefitted from the war were white people. Although this war has been called “revolutionary,” wasn’t the whole point
1776 was a good year for a revolution. George Washington had taken command of the U.S. forces in 1775, with an army of old men and young boys that seemed to be bleak and unpromising. Facing harsh conditions and disease- ridden camps, winning a war against the all powerful British was an uphill battle. What Washington probably didn’t expect that the worst of his problems would come from his own army, a group of untrained, undisciplined men that would tamper with his great patience. Through it all he would stay one step ahead of the enemy.
A leader can be defined as one who mobilizes others toward a goal shared by leaders and followers. General George Washington was conceivably the one indispensable man among the Founding Fathers. He was the only one out of many others to command the respect needed to lead the Continental Army to victory over Great Britain and to preside over the Constitutional Convention. During the eight years Revolutionary War from 1775-1783 with Great Britain and America soldiers, General George Washington has proven to be a formidable leader and this made him recognizable later as a presidential selection. John C. Maxwell, the author of Communication Lessons From America’s Founding Father, draws attention to General Washington strong qualities of being a
What is leadership, and how do we attain the best and most effective leaders? These are questions that are as old as civilization itself. Bass (1974) wrote that, “from its infancy, the study of history has been the study of leaders” (as cited in Wren, 1995, p. 50). Since the study of history in the West is commonly held to begin with Herodotus of ancient Athens, it is not surprising that we should examine the historical views of leadership through the eyes of two titans of Greek thought: Plato and Aristotle.