The Rise of the American Navy: Maritime Battles Through the First One Hundred Years by Ptolemy John

Author:Ptolemy, John
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HAK Publishing
Published: 2022-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

4

Chapter 4: America’s Victory in the War of Independence

Allies and Enemies

Britain had no allies in the war. As a matter of fact, at least two of their greatest enemies, France and Spain, joined forces with the Americans with an agenda to gain back some territory they had lost. These other countries had something to prove. They were also seeking a little revenge.

Native Americans had an ax to grind with colonists who were stealing more and more of their land. Many felt if they sided with the British, they might retrieve some of that land. Others felt that it was in their best interest to side with the colonists to preserve their tribes. All the tribes tried to stay neutral but no matter what side they were on, their lands, their crops, and their people became targets of mass destruction.

All Americans were still not allied with the patriot cause and all British were not allied with the cause of their native country. Benedict Arnold had fought alongside George Washington but became a traitor, disclosing valuable information to those who had once been his enemy. He was in a financial bind and needed cash. The British were willing to pay. Unfortunately for him, because of his betrayal, he was trusted by neither the British nor the Americans.

In an attempt to get southern colonies to fight amongst one another, the Earl of Dunmore, who had not abdicated his duties as Governor of Virginia, offered freedom to slaves who would fight on the side of the British. In November 1775 he established what he called his Ethiopian Regiment.

The navy too was divided. Impressment was rampant within both the British and American ranks. Desertion, betrayal, and mutiny was par for the course for any ship. Public enemy number one on the seas were pirates who didn’t care which side was which.

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