Alright, here's an idea that's been rattling around in my thoughts for a bit and I'd like to see what you think.
First off, without French help, would the colonies win their independence? My gut says yes, but only after a longer, harsher war. How much help did the French supply exactly, in terms of men, supplies and ships?
Now, as side effects of a longer war, more manpower is needed. So, my question here is, how much of that manpower could be slaves or freedmen? Enough to do away with slavery much earlier, in recognition of their services? Unrealistic or implausible?
Now here's where it gets really far out. A longer, more protracted war in the colonies is gonna need to be financed. By taxes. From people who are largely unrepresented in Britain itself. So the revolution spreads to the Isles, at first to create a more democratic system, but later into overthrowing the monarchy. George III becomes Lord-Protector of the Second Commonwealth, reads about the first Commonwealth and decides to flee to Hanover. Constitutional Convention sort of thing decides on a federal, republican structure much as the US did. ASB?
So, at the end you have the Thirteen Colonies independent, slavery ended in those colonies, a republican Britain more amenable to the US and no French Revolution or Napoleonic Wars.
I can elaborate if someone needs something cleared up. Feel free to praise or criticize.
First off, without French help, would the colonies win their independence? My gut says yes, but only after a longer, harsher war. How much help did the French supply exactly, in terms of men, supplies and ships?
Now, as side effects of a longer war, more manpower is needed. So, my question here is, how much of that manpower could be slaves or freedmen? Enough to do away with slavery much earlier, in recognition of their services? Unrealistic or implausible?
Now here's where it gets really far out. A longer, more protracted war in the colonies is gonna need to be financed. By taxes. From people who are largely unrepresented in Britain itself. So the revolution spreads to the Isles, at first to create a more democratic system, but later into overthrowing the monarchy. George III becomes Lord-Protector of the Second Commonwealth, reads about the first Commonwealth and decides to flee to Hanover. Constitutional Convention sort of thing decides on a federal, republican structure much as the US did. ASB?
So, at the end you have the Thirteen Colonies independent, slavery ended in those colonies, a republican Britain more amenable to the US and no French Revolution or Napoleonic Wars.
I can elaborate if someone needs something cleared up. Feel free to praise or criticize.