Robert Clive commands in North America

Just read bout Clive's victory at Plassey 1757 in Wiki- which also mentions how later in his life he was offered command of british forces in North America during 1773-74, which he however declined shortly before he committed suicide. But, WI Clive had been so appointed to command British forces in America ? How would he have fared against the colonists during the ARW ?
 

Thande

Donor
I don't think he'd necessarily have been a miracle commander, the skills necessary to win battles in India do not necessarily translate well to North America. OTOH, I suppose the thing about fighting in areas with divided loyalties, keeping the locals on side and managing disparate groups (British soldiers vs. either sort of Indians ;) ) is somewhat comparable, in the same way that the Duke of Wellington's experience in India arguably helped him manage the Peninsular campaign.
 
By that point wasn't he heavily addicted to opioids and quite depressed? It would've been interesting, but imo, probably would've ended badly.
 
I don't think he'd necessarily have been a miracle commander, the skills necessary to win battles in India do not necessarily translate well to North America. OTOH, I suppose the thing about fighting in areas with divided loyalties, keeping the locals on side and managing disparate groups (British soldiers vs. either sort of Indians ;) ) is somewhat comparable, in the same way that the Duke of Wellington's experience in India arguably helped him manage the Peninsular campaign.

On the other hand, on a visit to Brazil after Plassey, he claimed a single brigade under his command could take Rio and then the rest of the colony; and also that Britain should preemptively grab it, lest a more assertive power take it from the indolent Portuguese.

So I suspect he lacks the ability to woo people to fair Britannia's cause.
 
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On the other hand, on a visit to Brazil after Plassye, he claimed a single brigade under his command could take Rio and then the rest of the colony; and also that Britain should preemptively grab it, lest a more assertive power take it from the indolent Portuguese.

So I suspect he lacks the ability to woo people to fair Britannia's cause.

Think it was the whole alliance thing but I could be mistaken.

Still I think he could hold the South or win enough victories to keep the extra territory the USA got.
 
By that point wasn't he heavily addicted to opioids and quite depressed? It would've been interesting, but imo, probably would've ended badly.

Yes. Alternatively, we could have an earlier POD, that minimizes his addiction and/or depression, that doesn't butterfly the second POD.
 
Think it was the whole alliance thing but I could be mistaken.

Still I think he could hold the South or win enough victories to keep the extra territory the USA got.

Whole alliance thing?

Anyway, Britain had a perfectly capable commander in America, who went on to achieve fame and success in India: Cornwallis.

I'm not sure why people think Britain's generals were incompetent.
 

MrP

Banned
Whole alliance thing?

Anyway, Britain had a perfectly capable commander in America, who went on to achieve fame and success in India: Cornwallis.

I'm not sure why people think Britain's generals were incompetent.

It is a little perplexing. Perhaps it's just one of those unchallenged assumptions. It can't simple be "because they lost". The omnipresence of worship of German generals of WWII demonstrates that defeat is no barrier to acclaim hereabouts.
 

Sior

Banned
The failures of Great Britain during the American Revolution are many, including blunders, lack of coordination between commands, the inability and unwillingness of the navy to fully support the army, and mistrust and jealousy between top commanders. Also Horse Guards refusing to supply the army correctly, they were expected to requisition supplies from the local ‘friendly’ population. This led to further confrontations, making more enemies out of their few friends. Additionally, the British frequently failed to adapt to colonial warfare and entered the conflict with the erroneous perception that the rebels constituted an ignorant provincial force easily swept away by highly trained British regulars.
 
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