The colonists used tactic we would now call guerrilla warfare tactics. They thought of their tactics as doing what worked when fighting the Native Americans, who also fought that way.
The colonists hid behind trees and stones and waited for the British troops. Then the colonists would fire and retreat a small bit, then fire again and repeating this many times. Around 1500 out of 5000 British troops were killed and only around 100 of the colonies were shot.
NovaNet Answer: intellectual protest, economic boycotts, and violent intimidation.
Gorilla warfare, and very smart military tactics.
The colonists used tactic we would now call guerrilla warfare tactics. They thought of their tactics as doing what worked when fighting the Native Americans, who also fought that way. The colonists hid behind trees and stones and waited for the British troops. Then the colonists would fire and retreat a small bit, then fire again and repeating this many times. Around 1500 out of 5000 British troops were killed and only around 100 of the colonies were shot.
Mahandas Gandhi
During the retreat from Concord to Boston, colonial militia used guerrilla tactics to engage British troops. They employed hit-and-run strategies, ambushing the British from behind trees, walls, and buildings, which allowed them to inflict damage while minimizing their own exposure. This unconventional warfare disrupted the British advance and showcased the colonists' resourcefulness and determination to resist British authority. Additionally, the local knowledge of the terrain gave the colonists a significant advantage.
The British did not at all approve of the way the colonists were fighting. Colonists were using what is known as guerilla tactics. The British believed in open fighting, in lines, on fields. The colonists were attacking from cover, and quickly disappearing. The British found this ungentlemanly.
The Minutemen employed guerrilla warfare tactics against the British Redcoats, utilizing their knowledge of local terrain to launch surprise attacks and ambushes. They often engaged in hit-and-run strategies, avoiding direct confrontations with the better-equipped British forces. Additionally, the Minutemen relied on their mobility and the element of surprise, using their familiarity with the landscape to outmaneuver British troops and disrupt supply lines. This approach helped them to effectively challenge the more traditional military tactics of the British army.
The first battle was Lexington and Concord. It began with the "shot heard 'round the world" in Lexington. As the British marched to Concord to apprhend some of the more vocal patriots, the minutemen launched guerilla tactics on them from the woods along the road between the two towns. The red British uniforms made them easy targets.
The militia was more successful in the Battle of Concord due to their familiarity with the local terrain, which allowed them to strategically position themselves against the British forces. Additionally, they were motivated by a strong sense of purpose, defending their homes and communities, which bolstered their resolve. The effective use of guerrilla tactics, including ambushes and sniping from behind cover, also disrupted the British advance and contributed to their victory. This combination of local knowledge, motivation, and tactical advantage led to a decisive outcome for the militia.
The British were unable to achieve their objectives: capture Hancock and Adams and confiscate the munitions that were supposed to be at Concord. The fact that the British lost so many killed and wounded also hurt morale. The British got their first major taste of "hit and run" tactics used by the colonists. Lexington and Concord are considered the first battles of the Revolution. It was time for the colonists to determine which side of the fight they would join, Patriots or Loyalists.
Examples of communication during colonial times
During the American Revolutionary War, the American patriot, Francis Marion was a hero in his tactics against the British in the Southeast part of the 13 colonies. He was elusive and the British could simply not stop his successful raids against them.