!. Compare and contrast the British and American military systems at the outbreak of the American Revolution. Which country seemed better prepared for war? The war of Independence quickly became an unconventional war with 18th century styled warfare proving impractical to the American scene. Both sides preferred not to use outright, massive force for fear of alienating the allegiance of their own partisan population. Both tried to appeal to loyalists and partisans to help support their regular forces, such as the regular army for the British and the Continental Army for the Americans. The British tried various approaches throughout the war, such as force, intimidation, and persuasion, and the slow recapturing of territory to reestablish Royal Government. The Americans tried to win with a limited and untrained army led by Washington, coupled with even less trained and undisciplined partisan and militia assistance. Certainly, with their garrisoned, entrenched and skilled regular army, along with a powerful naval force, the British were more prepared for hostilities initially.