Distance from Britain
It could take a ship as long as three months to travel from Britain the the colonies
Immediate reaction to the colonies actions became both vital and impossible due to the tremendous distance between Europe and the colonies.
- When orders were needed from high officials in Europe, it took months to get those orders.
- By the time those orders were finally received there was a high chance that they would be nullified because it was received so long after the time that they would have actually been useful.
- Delayed reactions affected the ability to get supplies or troops needed to have a good war effort. For example, if troops were dwindling, more would very likely be sent from Europe.
- When the troops arrived, they could be insufficient and do little to help.
- Finally, the great distance would lower morale of the soldiers. The long journey to the colonies would cause sickness and disease that would kill many and lower the morale of those remaining. Those remaining would thus be less effective or helpful.
- When orders were needed from high officials in Europe, it took months to get those orders.
- By the time those orders were finally received there was a high chance that they would be nullified because it was received so long after the time that they would have actually been useful.
- Delayed reactions affected the ability to get supplies or troops needed to have a good war effort. For example, if troops were dwindling, more would very likely be sent from Europe.
- When the troops arrived, they could be insufficient and do little to help.
- Finally, the great distance would lower morale of the soldiers. The long journey to the colonies would cause sickness and disease that would kill many and lower the morale of those remaining. Those remaining would thus be less effective or helpful.