American Revolutionary War

Sandbrook agrees Vietnam is the right comparison for the war, with the Americans able to win simply by persisting.

“I think Vietnam is absolutely the right comparison. Because basically what the Americans can do, first of all, they care much more than the British do”

The Rest Is History: 683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1) (Jun 28, 2026) · Listen from 23:35

Sandbrook, citing Gordon Wood, argues the rebels had major advantages, as no 18th-century country had won a war 3,000 miles from home.

“no country in the 18th century has ever fought and won a war like this 3,000 miles from home”

The Rest Is History: 683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1) (Jun 28, 2026) · Listen from 22:31

Sandbrook argues Washington's militancy was linked to his debts, falling tobacco prices and his western land speculation.

“He has money problems, like a lot of landowners do after the Seven Years' War. The tobacco price had fallen considerably in the 1760s”

The Rest Is History: 683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1) (Jun 28, 2026) · Listen from 18:54

Holland argues that the colonists did not want British interference over Native Americans because they wanted to seize Native land.

“they don't actually want the British to come in and be woke about the Native Americans. They just want to go out and grab their land”

The Rest Is History: 683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1) (Jun 28, 2026) · Listen from 17:44