The Cost of Oversight: How the Continental Congress Almost Lost the American Revolution

The American Revolution was one of the most important events in both American and human histories. While this war is well known as being a war of defiance where a republican government attempted to break free from a monarchy, it should also be known as a war in which the legislative body of the new American states took a very active role in the control of the Continental Army. General Washington was an avid proponent of civilian control over the military so he allowed the Second Continental Congress to have a large say in how the American forces operated. Ultimately, due to a rapidly inflating currency and general fear of standing armies, they failed to adequately supply the troops. Despite the flaws of civilian control that were brought to light during the war, the sense of distrust between the government and the military remain today