George Washington's Revolutionary Leadership: Tactics in 1700s War

This essay examines George Washington's revolutionary leadership during the American Revolution, contrasting European and American war tactics. It highlights the differences in military approaches, such as the European emphasis on formal battles versus the American adoption of guerilla warfare inspired by Native American strategies. The essay details Washington's role in forming the Continental Army and his strategic decisions, including surprise attacks and his understanding of soldier capabilities. It also contrasts Washington's leadership style with that of other key figures like William Howe, John Burgoyne, Lord Cornwallis, and Benedict Arnold. The analysis covers Washington's leadership qualities, such as his charisma, decisiveness, and commitment to preserving the Republic, while also acknowledging his establishment of key governmental structures and policies. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources for students.

Revolutionary
Leadership
In Context to Washington

The European and American
Tactics of war (1700s)
European Tactics
• No attacking at night
•The mercenaries were
common
•Sneak attacks were
restricted
•Great Britain- The “rules” of
“gentlemanly” warfare (Martin
2014).
•The soldiers were lowly
considered in Britain.

American Tactics
• The Colonial warfare was
based on the style of natives
•Local militias
•The skulking style of their
war included the sneak
attacks and adjustments
(Joes 2015)
•Local militias
•Ambushed enemies, they
hid behind the walls and they
had no uniforms (Marciniak
2015)

Continental army
• It was created by Sir George
Washington
• They fought alongside several sate
militias
• It provided Washington a better
understanding and idea about the
capabilities of the soldiers and the
length of the service (Weigley 2016).
• It is the greatest accomplishment of
the war.

Revolutionary leaders
1. George Washington
2. William Howe
3. John Burgoyne
4. Lord Cornwallis
5. Benedict Arnold

Revolutionary leadership of
Washington
•Put down the Soldier Mutinies
•Discouraged familiarity
•Demanded deference
•Put down the Whiskey Rebellion once in office
•Reluctantly attended Convention
•Pushed for a stronger central authority
•Washington’s support assisted ratification
•Possessed Charisma
•Led by example
•Never actively campaigned
•Unanimously elected by electoral college
•Legend of Cincinnatus
•Republic of Virtue
•Stern public appearance
•Willing to make tough decisions
•Established the Cabinet
•Advised by Jefferson and Hamilton
•Tended to favor Federalists
•Proclaims Neutrality in dispute between French and
English
•Avoid Political Parties / Factions
•Avoid Foreign Entanglements
•Voluntarily retires after 2 terms
•Preserve the Republic at all cost
•Unanimously elected by electoral college
•Legend of Cincinnatus
•Republic of Virtue
•Stern public appearance
•Willing to make tough decisions
•Stern public appearance (McMaster 2017)
•Willing to make tough decisions”

The other leaders
• William Howe- He was the head of the British army in the year
1776.
• John Burgoyne- He was defeated at the Saratoga, the
campaign of 1777. He served as general of British army during
the American revolution
• Lord Cornwallis- He was high trained and experienced soldier.
However, he surrendered to British army at Yorktown (Konstam
2013).
• Benedict Arnold- He led the March onto the Quebec through the
inhospitable terrain by maintaining the morale and discipline. He
defeated and countered the British at Saratoga.

Washington during the
American revolution
• Washington moved the Continental Army to
New York, where General Howe attacked
• He ignored the traditional European tactics
of warfare and attacked in winter when the
British and Hessians were sleeping.
• He drove the British out of Princeton

Leadership of Washington during
the Battle of Trenton
• 1776- Washington planned a surprise
attack in Hessian camp at Trenton, NJ.
• He attacked on the night of Christmas
eve and captured or killed around
thousand men

References
• Martin, A.M., 2014. The last" War in Lace" or the first" Total War"?. Kritika:
Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History, 15(2), pp.293-301.
• Marciniak, K., 2015. The Revolutionary War: Why They Fought. Capstone
• Joes, A.J., 2015. America and guerrilla warfare. University Press of Kentucky.
• . Weigley, R.F., 2016. Towards an American army: Military thought from
Washington to Marshall. Pickle Partners Publishing.
• McMaster, H.R., 2017. The art of command: Military leadership from George
Washington to Colin Powell. University Press of Kentucky.
• Konstam, A., 2013. Guilford Courthouse 1781: Lord Cornwallis's Ruinous
Victory. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Bliven Jr, B., 2017. Battle for Manhattan. Pickle Partners Publishing.

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