Why did the British keep a permanent army in North America?

Why did the British keep a permanent army in North America?

Great Britain had won the French and Indian War, but Parliament still had to pay for it. The British continued to keep a ​standing​, or permanent, army in North America to protect the colonists against Indian attacks. To help pay for this army, Prime Minister George Grenville asked parliament to tax the colonists.

Why did the colonies need to create an army?

The Continental Army was created to coordinate military efforts of the Colonies in their war for independence. General George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the army throughout the war. Most of the Continental Army was disbanded in 1783, after the Treaty of Paris formally ended the fighting.

What advantages did the colonists have?

British soldiers were fighting because it was their job, while Americans were fighting for freedom. Another advantage the colonists had was the fact that American forces were fighting on their own ground. They knew the terrain, roads, mountain passes, and swamp lands of the colonies.

What advantages did the Continental Army have in the Revolutionary War?

The Continental Army had a number of advantages over the British army. Their biggest advantage was that they were fighting for a grand cause, their independence and freedom, which was a very motivating factor.

When did the U.S. establish a permanent army?

Finally, on September 29, 1789, the last day of its first session, the U.S. Congress passed an act to establish the United States military.

Why did the colonists need their own army?

The local militias were not as experienced or as well-trained as the professional British Army and it quickly became apparent to the colonists that they needed their own unified army if they were to defeat the British and their German allies. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress officially established the Continental Army.

Why did England want to colonize North America?

England Establishes Permanent Colonies Of all the European countries, England established the firmest foothold in North America. Like the other European countries, England was motivated in part by the lure of both riches and the Northwest Passage.

What was the Continental Army like in the Revolutionary War?

In the first few years of the war, the colonies had no allies to help them and had to supplement their small army with local militia regiments. Also, the majority of the soldiers in the Continental Army were mostly farmers and had very little to no experience on the battlefield.

What did the New England colonies do for money?

In New England, the colonies engaged in fishing, lumber, and shipbuilding. Farther south, colonies provided tobacco, rice, and indigo. For almost 200 years, until the colonies fought and won their independence, England benefited financially from the relationship with its North American colonies.