what would be the cons of patriots breaking away from britian

1 answer

There are several potential cons that could arise from the Patriots breaking away from Britain. Here are a few:

1. Economic instability: The British Empire was a strong economic power, and being a part of it provided various trade benefits and opportunities. Breaking away from Britain would mean losing these advantages and could lead to economic uncertainty for the Patriots.

2. Military disadvantage: The British Empire had a powerful and well-established military. By breaking away, the Patriots would have to rely on forming their own military forces from scratch, which might lack the training, equipment, and resources necessary to effectively defend themselves.

3. Diplomatic isolation: Without the support and protection of the mighty British Empire, the Patriots might find it difficult to establish diplomatic relations with other nations. This isolation could potentially make their future alliances and trade agreements challenging to secure.

4. Political instability: The process of breaking away from Britain would likely involve significant political upheaval, as the Patriots would need to establish new systems of governance and determine their own political structure. This could lead to internal conflicts and instability.

5. Retaliation: The British Empire was not likely to let go of its American colonies without a fight. Breaking away from Britain would risk facing military retaliation and potential conflict, which could result in loss of life and destruction in the colonies.

6. Loss of British support: The Patriots may lose the support and resources provided by British infrastructure and institutions. This includes losing access to British markets, education systems, legal structures, and other benefits that were previously available.

It's important to note that despite these potential cons, the Patriots ultimately decided that the benefits of independence outweighed the drawbacks, leading to the American Revolutionary War and the eventual establishment of the United States of America.