Over the winter of 1775-76, the Ministry in Britain decides to use overwhelming force to put an end to colonial resistance. The King refuses to receive the Olive Branch Petition and makes clear that he supports Parliament in this fight and calls for the use of force to suppress colonial treason. He also starts recruiting German speaking mercenaries to supplement the British Army. The ministry also dumps General Gage and Secretary Dartmouth, replacing them with General Howe and Secretary Germain. The ministry also implements a blockade of North America.
Meanwhile France begins to pay attention to the rebellion. It sends its first unofficial envoy to Philadelphia to see if it makes sense to provide some covert assistance.
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Episode 145 Retreat from Ticonderoga
Episode 144 Defense of Fort Ticonderoga
Episode 143 Burgoyne's Northern Army
Episode 142 Disease and the Revolution
Episode 141 Congress Returns to Philadelphia
Episode 140 Battle of Short Hills
Episode 139 Meigs Raid on Sag Harbor
Episode 138 Battle of Thomas Creek
Episode 137 Lambert Wickes
Episode 136 Franklin in Paris
Episode 135 The Danbury Raid
Episode 134 The Battle of Bound Brook
Episode 133 The Peekskill Raid
Episode 132 Britain Adjusts its War Plans
Episode 131 Congress - Baltimore Edition
Episode 130 Fort McIntosh, Georgia
Episode 129 Prisoners of War
Episode 128 Fort Independence
Episode 127 The Forage War
Episode 126 The Battle of Princeton
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