The Campaign of 1777: Examination of a Turning Point Using DIME (Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic) National Power Elements - American Revolution, Continental Army, British Army

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. During the campaign of 1777, the Americans apparently gained a series of strategic, operational, and political successes while the British suffered political and military setbacks with apparent long-term consequences. General Horatio Gates' victory at Saratoga, the most obvious strategic shift, overshadows the series of defeats suffered by General George Washington in the Philadelphia effort. However, Washington achieved his primary objectives: extend the war, attrite the enemy at places of his choosing, and draw the enemy into the interior to extend their supply lines. "Washington realized that his army was the sword and shield upon which the Revolution depended. As long as it existed, the British could not safely disperse their troops and occupy the vast territory necessary for them to reestablish their power throughout America." Additionally, reinforced with foreign professional advisors and trainers, the Continental Army entered the encampment at Valley Forge with the largest winter force of the war-over 11,000 forces. Meanwhile, in London, politicians and King George III faced the prospect of diplomatic isolation, and waning political support after the botched campaign.

The Campaign of 1777 was one of the more evident turning points during the American Revolution. For the purposes of this paper, a "turning point" is a point at which the elements of national power: Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME); change direction; increasing or decreasing in power. The problem statement applies to both the American and British efforts. There is evidence supporting the claim that the Northern Department's successful defeat of General Burgoyne's army at Saratoga strategically changed the global diplomatic and military landscape. However, was it the victory the key ingredient, which precipitated the diplomatic events, or was this simply an elemental change in a series of transitions in national power? Were there other synergistic events: informational or economic? One thing is certain, the events of 1777 created a shadow of interest for centuries of historians.

CHAPTER 1 * INTRODUCTION * Introduction * Background * Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Research Questions * Organization * Limitations * Delimitations * Elements of National Power * CHAPTER 2 * HISTORIOGRAPHY * Introduction * The American Revolution * The Campaign of 1777 * Diplomatic History * Information and Economic Elements of Power * CHAPTER 3 * DIPLOMATIC ELEMENT OF POWER * Introduction * The Scales of European Power 1763-1774 * Diplomatic Paper War * Commissioners and Negotiations * Campaign of 1777 * Conclusion * CHAPTER 4 * INFORMATION ELEMENT OF POWER * Introduction * American and British Literacy * Newspaper Distribution * Thomas Paine Common Sense * Information in the Campaign of 1777 * Conclusion * CHAPTER 5 * MILITARY ELEMENT OF POWER * Introduction * British Army Recruitment and Replacement * The Transformation of the Continental Army * Leadership and Command * Conclusion * CHAPTER 6 * ECONOMIC ELEMENT OF POWER * Introduction * British Economy * American Economy * Conclusion * CHAPTER 7 * THE CONCLUSION

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