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Michael Kadish
10/15/95
.2
1) The main reason that the Dutch governor saluted the colonial flag in 1777 to begin the book, The First Salute, was to show his respect for the Colonial commitment for freedom. He thought that the Americans were more wrong than right, but intended mostly to gain their trust as an ally. The Dutch, proud of their rebellion hoped that the Americans would share their success, but were content merely knowing that they were going to have made a profit from this rebellion. The salute was more a sign to show friendship rather than to pledge allegiance or even show commitment to this new group.
2) Europe's politics between the 16th century and the 19th century revolved around allies. The more forces one had to protect themselves the better off they were. To France, this was an even bigger priority. They had recently disgraced of their land in The French and Indian War. The French did well when they had created an allegance with the Indians, before an allegance was made with the English and colonists. France saw that the colonists were a strong group and once they had proven themselves in Saratoga, France decided that joining with the Americans. Regardless of America's beliefs, as long as it could further France, and give them a strong new ally that might eventually get some French land established, France willingly helped the Democratic Americans.
3) The British Generals were not prepared to win a war in the New World. They had been taught to fight hand to hand combat, which helped, but were not ready for the crude guerilla warfare of the colonists. The British Generals played the game to simply attack the destined targets. Had they not tried to divide and conquer the country, not tried to win big battles, they would not have lost Saratoga. If the British Generals had stuck to easy small attacks, no ally would have joined the Colonists and the British could have easily defeated them.