At first sight The British had many advantages.They greatly outnumbered the Americans and had much greater resources. However they were handicapped by long lines of communication. (In those days it took a sailing ship 6 to 8 week to oross the Atlantic). The British won the battle of Long Island in August 1776 and in September 1776 they captured New York Washington was forced to retreat. However Washington won victories at Trenton in December 1776 and at Princeton in January 1776. The Americans were defeaed at Brandywine in September 1777 but they won a decisive at s Saratoga in October. A British force led by Burgoyne marched south from Canada but was surrounded and forced surrender.