It means the amount of wear or the changes that occur because of erosion. For example, if a waterfall falls on top of a boulder, after some time it will erode away at the rock leaving an indent.
In brief, it costed the British a lot to be fighting a war, and the costs increased their debt severely, whilst the colonists were unwilling help because of how Britain was treating them.
Congress has the power to declare war. Most think the President has the power, but Congress makes the final decision.
Answer:
They were somewhat modeled after American schools and came under control of a highly centralized Ministry of Education