The colonists living in the British North American colonies who rebelled against the authority of the crown were known as patriots, revolutionaries, continentals, colonials, rebels, Yankees, or Whigs. However, those who remained faithful to the Crown were known as loyalists, Royalists, King’s Men, or Tories.
British authority and soldiers likewise acquired several monikers throughout the course of the war, and were synonymously referred to as the British, the Crown, Great Britain, lobster backs, and regulars.
• Great Britain had 8 million residents in 1775, and the 13 rebellious colonies about 2.5 million (of which half a million were slaves).
• The largest cities in the colonies were Philadelphia, Pa, (43,000), New York, N.Y. (25,000), Boston, MA (16,000), Charleston, S.C. (12,000), and Newport, R.I. (11,000)
• The four largest American colonies were Virginia (447,016), Pennsylvania (240,057), Massachusetts (235,308), and Maryland (202,599).
Though preceded by years of unrest and periodic violence, the Revolutionary War began in earnest on April 19, 1775 with the battles of Lexington and Concord. The conflict lasted a total of seven years, with the major American victory at Yorktown, VA in 1781 marking the end of hostilities. The Treaty of Paris was signed two years later, in 1783, thus officially ending the conflict.
Continental Army was made up of patriots and small militias that came together once the first continental congress was formed. They were fighting against the British. British army (Red Coats) sent by king George III to attain order again in the colonies.
The two armies differ in advantages and disadvantages:
The patriots advantages were: 1.- Familiar with the land; 2.- Good Leadership; 3.- Highly Motivation;Alliance with Spain and France
Patriots Disadvantages: 1.- Little Money and supplies; 2.- No formal Army or Navy
On the Other Hand the British Army had a Large powerful army, Money and a powerful navy
But its disadvantage was: Troop´s poor motivation; 300 Mile Line supply to cover; unfamiliar with the land and little support from the colonists.
