"Effects of the American Revolutionary War on Britain" Topic

"American success in the Revolutionary War created a new nation, while British failure tore away part of the empire. Such consequences were inevitably going to have impacts, but historians debate their extent compared with those of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, which would test Britain soon after their American experience. Modern readers might expect Britain to have suffered greatly as a result of losing the war, but it's possible to argue that the hostilities were survived so well that Britain could fight a very long war against Napoleon soon after.

Britain spent a huge amount of money fighting the Revolutionary War, sending the national debt soaring and creating a yearly interest of nearly 10 million pounds. Taxes had to be raised as a result. The trade that Britain had relied on for wealth was severely interrupted. Imports and exports experienced large drops and the following recession caused stocks and land prices to plummet. Trade was also affected by naval attacks from Britain's enemies, and thousands of merchant ships were captured…"
Main page
link

Armand

I've seen it represented that Britain's West Indies possessions were of greater financial importance than the 13 Colonies whose security had been established at great expense which tha acquisition of French Canada was not going to reccompense in the short term. Hence the dispatch of half the New York garrison to the Caribbean in 1778- despite the net failure of the 1777-78 campaigns in the north.

The entrance of France into the AWI was seen as most problematic in terms of the threat to Britain's West Indies plantations, although coupled with the opportunity to seize France's own possessions in the Caribbean, whether of strategic or commercial importance. Obviously French seapower was the decisive factor in the AWI but that's another matter.

If US trade receipts had been sufficient to mitigate the costs of the Seven Years War presumably that ol' taxation without representation thing wouldn't have arisen.

India, India, India.

Well, yes. There was that.

Thanks.

Armand

Yes, but with the loss of the British Colonies in North America the British Empire (the first one that is), came to an end; India not withstanding. King George's empire was not Victoria's.

The main effect is financial. It's cost me a bloody fortune on books and toy soldiers.

with the loss of the British Colonies in North America the British Empire (the first one that is), came to an end; India not withstanding

Britain also had Canada, Hudson's Bay and the West Indies in addition to its India holdings. By the end of George III's reign Britain had also added Cape Colony to the list. Even with the loss of the North American colonies who else in Europe besides Spain had a larger empire?

"King George's empire was not Victoria's."

But, perhaps Victoria's empire was George's

Jeffers + 1…. (smile)

Armand

The economic effects of the American war resulted in a halt in the construction of what is now known as the Leeds Liverpool canal in the little Lancashire village of Parbold.
The old 1770 Parliamentary route would have taken the next stage of the Cut North to Leyland via Johnson's Hillock near Chorley, where Lock 63 is located and on towards Preston.
When construction was resumed in the 1780s, it followed the money and headed West towards the coal fields of Wigan and then on towards East Lancashire and the Pennines.
PS The small section of the old Parliamentary canal became a dry or graving dock.

Thanks.

Armand

The road to Wigan Pier

PPS East. The bloody canal turned East and not West. Otherwise we'd never have had the very lovely section that is Dean Locks through the Douglas Valley…..I'll get me coat…..