The process of establishing control by European colonists and the American struggle for independence reached its peak in 1776. Then a new stage in the history of the American Revolutionary War began. The next intervention of the London troops was concentrated in two directions. In one of them, the enemy army sought to defeat the “decision-making center” of Washington. Learn more about how it all started and whether the British eventually managed to occupy the City of Brotherly Love at philadelphiayes.com.
Background of the Philadelphia Campaign
At the beginning of 1777, the coastal American states, which were previously dominated by colonists from the European continent, were again threatened by the intervention of London’s army. The latter had already controlled the strategic city of New York and a number of port cities in the southern states.
British general William Howe and politician George Germain devised a plan to capture Philadelphia aiming to defeat the Second Continental Congress in its capital. Once entrenched in the City of Brotherly Love, the invaders still sought to link up with the forces of the distinguished general John Burgoyne in Albany, north of Philly.
On the territory of modern Canada, Burgoyne had to capture the northern settlements held by the Americans and advance to meet the Philadelphia Campaign troops.
American General George Washington opposed the British intervention. One of the future founders of the United States fought on two fronts, trying to outwit two talented British generals at once. Washington waged a maneuver war, attacking in the northern direction and in the state of New Jersey and then turning to defensive actions.
In July 1776, William Howe informed John Burgoyne that most likely the American general would concentrate on the northern campaign, so they would attack the south and take control of Philadelphia. According to the enemies of the Americans, their main combat power and Washington’s headquarters were based there. Burgoyne had to keep the city in his theater of operations until the Philadelphia campaign was implemented. Some historians tend to believe that Howe’s decision to capture the City of Brotherly Love was selfish. The military leader wanted to succeed in New England faster than John Burgoyne. At the same time, if William helped Burgoyne defeat the Americans in the north, Howe wouldn’t be the only hero, which was unacceptable for him. Actually, guided by personal motives and underestimation of the opponent, after some time the British found themselves in a difficult situation.
Did the Europeans manage to conquer the first capital of the USA?
Сarrying out the task of General Howe, the British fleet maneuvered from New York to the southern regions of the Delaware River for several weeks. At the same time, the ground forces found the weak points of the Continental Army near Philadelphia. The military leaders fought the ground offensive, although Washington didn’t really believe in the success of the British actions. After all, they didn’t have enough resources to force the Delaware River, which separates the city from the neighboring state of New Jersey.
Nevertheless, Washington believed that Howe’s attack on the south was diverting attention from the main goal of conquering northern cities and connecting with General Burgoyne. However, while considering moving to the Hudson area, the American general learned that the British fleet had entered the Chesapeake Bay.
The commander of the Continental Army, John Sullivan, was engaged in the defense of Philadelphia, while George Washington with an army of more than 10,000 rushed to the aid. While the American troops were taking position, 15,000 British soldiers surrounded the capital of the Continental Army.
Washington lost at the Battle of Brandywine in the early fall of 1777 with heavy losses. As a result, by the end of September of the aforementioned year, Howe was finally victorious. The British general entered Philadelphia without resistance. Meanwhile, the Continental Congress, after a series of battles and attempts to regain control of the city, established itself in Valley Forge and Monmouth.
Due to the harsh winter, both armies stopped at the achieved borders of the fall campaign. While the American soldiers were fighting nature and preparing for counteroffensive actions, unexpectedly for everyone, there was a defeated grouping of the London army in the north. Then John Burgoyne and his army were captured.
Who won the Philadelphia campaign?
As a result of Britain’s failures, their southern European neighbor and arch-rival declared war. Thanks to the French fleet, the logistical routes of London’s occupying forces in the Chesapeake Bay area were cut off in 1778. Later, the army of the colonists surrendered and the flag of freedom was raised again over the City of Brotherly Love.
The main conclusion of the Philadelphia campaign was the unsuccessful initial setup of the European colonists, which led to their defeat. Even with the loss of the US capital, Washington and the patriots continued to fight. They conducted planned operations on large cities occupied by the enemy. As long as the Continental Army existed and could fight, the Revolutionary War continued. The further help of the allies contributed to the defeat of the invaders on the American continent.
