WI George Washington dies before ARW?

Germaniac

Donor
Things go badly at first with Horatio gates in command, though over time you might be Benedict Arnold take over.
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
Things go badly at first with Horatio gates in command, though over time you might be Benedict Arnold take over.

Gates might not get the command, since IOTL he was made a major general at Washington's request. Of course, as one of the few patriots with military experience, he would surely get some sort of command sooner or later.
 
It's possible Charles Lee, being the most experienced candidate, actually takes over as Commander-In-Chief. He was a relatively skilled commander with plenty of experience, moreso than even Washington.

That said, he was also a slovenly foul-mouthed eccentric. If he does take command, he may not have the sheer political acumen of Washington - but he'll win far more actual engagements. What this means for the revolution is uncertain.

OTL, Lee created the defenses for Sullivan's Island, which resulted in a major defeat of Henry Clinton's attack on Charlestown. His only other major action was at Monmouth, where he seemed to have been intentionally turning coat much like Benedict Arnold, muddying Washington's strategic plans. It is likely, ITTL, that Lee and Arnold would be the major military commanders without a political schlub like Washington at the helm.

EDIT: He was also a friend of Horatio Gates - so the unfortunate man may still gain a command.
 
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Washington was a decent general, even if not a great one. But, he was honourable and trustworthy, and could talk his men and Congress into staying the course.

I won't say the Revolution is doomed without him. I will say the US was incredibly lucky to have a man with his varied competencies at hand.


My guess is someone like Lee gets it, and isn't trusted by Congress, so he gets even less support (financial/food/supplies); so he marches on Congress (wherever it's located at that point), and tries to demand support at gunpoint.

This will NOT go well.

If the Commander-in-Chief (whoever he is), doesn't sweet talk Congress and doesn't extort supplies, then the Army will starve and melt away, and the Revolution will be lost.
 

Redhand

Banned
Things go badly at first with Horatio gates in command, though over time you might be Benedict Arnold take over.

Gates would have maybe been a Virginia Militia Colonel at best if not for Washington. His skill as Adjutant General during the Boston campaign was admirable and turned quite a few heads, but he never would have gotten that position had Washington, who was a friend of his, not lobbied for him to get the job.

As for Arnold, I think that there is little chance that the Commander in Chief is coming from New England initially, but there were few in the South who could take the job except Washington. Charles Lee seems like the best bet. But Arnold would need to do some politicking and somehow get the same chances he got OTL to shine to become commander.

Of course, I think without Washington the revolution will not take hold in a unified manner and their may not be a Continental Army period after a year or so but rather colonial militias waging private wars on the British with little success.
 
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