I haven't been here a terribly long time but is this really necessary?
Necessary? Yes.
There's absolutely nothing in either the title or even the OP which state which revolutionary war this is about. So I took it to be the french revolutionary war ( and it's impact on America ). This is fully in line with the title and OP.
Then, maybe the OP author is not from USA ( despite his location ) and is thinking of yet another revolutionary war. There were quite a few in history.
When posting a subject, you should always clarify what you are talking about in the post and not assume that evryone know what you think.
For exemple, if I posted a Topic about ' WI the King was imprisonned and not beheaded', I would, 'obviously' be speaking about Louis XVI of France. But I just have an inkling of an idea that this would not be the first one someone from Uk would be thinking of.
Other exemples : when I speak about the revolution, I obviously am speaking about the 1789 french one. Same thing, the emperor is obviously Napoleon I, Phillipe II is obviously Phillippe Auguste of France; same thing about Henry I to Henry IV, I'm obviously thinking of french kings there ( and even Henry V ). However, given the various background of members, I think it would be just a little confusing if I used this without clarification, preferably in the title, but at least in the OP.
So, you see, unless you want to see how people from different background interprete you OP, you should clarify what you are talking about and not use ambiguous wording.
Is it that offensive?
Offensive? not very; I'm taking it as a self-comment on the OP author.
Annoying as hell and making for confused discussions? Definitely.