April 3, 2024
When thinking about the American Revolution of 1776 what may not come to mind first is the role of supply chains. Beyond the desire for self-governance, the right to trade freely was one of the reasons for the Revolutionary War. The restriction of trade was an even bigger grievance than taxation without consent. Some of the supply chain managers of today are the descendants of American revolutionaries who understood the importance of global supply chains.
The Navigation Acts restricted the colonies from trading with Great Britain. Merchants could only export goods on British ships. They had to pay duties to the King on any goods not imported from Great Britain. Great Britain’s mercantilist system also limited the colonies to producing raw materials. They had to send these materials to Great Britain, even if they could get better prices by trading with European countries like Spain or France.
The Navigation Acts didn’t really cause problems until Great Britain decided to start strictly enforcing them. This happened at just the wrong time when colonists were thinking about independence. A number of colonial business leaders were merchants and experienced the effect of the enforcement firsthand. Some of them were also political leaders with influence.
The Revolution led to the independence of the American colonies from British rule. Students studying history at college may have to write a Revolutionary War essay that identifies factors contributing to it, such as the enforcement of navigation laws. An American Revolution essay could also argue about factors that contributed to the victory of the colonists. Finding good examples of essays on this topic could provide students with ideas for their own research papers. It also helps them to expand their knowledge. They can also benefit from the help of professional writers with knowledge about the topic.
A common saying is that ‘an army marches on its stomach’. Food logistics was difficult for both sides, but especially for the colonists. The colonial army often went without food, shelter, weaponry, and pay. This meant soldiers were prone to revolt and desertion. George Washington understood that his lack of personal knowledge in the area of logistics could negatively affect the outcome of the war. An advantage was that the colonial supply chain was shorter than the British one. By creating a network of storage and supply centres, the supply chain was lean but manageable.
British logistics were more advanced and efficient but the supply chain was nearly 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. Delays and disruptions from U.S. warships and privateers were costly to the British. It was a constant challenge to maintain a safe, reliable supply chain to support the men in the field. The long supply trains along the coast also provided Patriot partisans with opportunities to use guerrilla tactics, blockades, etc. to disrupt supply.
A lesson from the American Revolution is that supply chain management can be one of the biggest risks to success. Logistics history shows that supply chains can help or hinder armies and affect the outcome of wars.
In the decades after the Declaration of Independence, cotton mills, textile factories, and iron mills started to spring up. The U.S.A. was on its way to go beyond raw material production. Manufacturing of finished goods and global trade have helped to make it what it is today.
Supply chains have gone through many changes over the decades and the rapid growth of technology has had a significant effect on them. There have been changes in transportation, business logistics, and distribution methods. Now the era of supply chain digitization is in full swing. In the current era, the whole business cycle of an industrial company needs digitization. This includes:
Supply chains that go digital improve efficiency and reduce costs. Global SCM is the science of planning how goods and services make it from manufacturer to consumer. It is one of the most important disciplines in business today. When the Covid-19 pandemic caused a supply chain crisis it created a new awareness of what a disruption in supply chains can cause.
Logistics within supply chain management keeps evolving to meet consumer demands. Today supply chain logistics have become really complex. Many companies outsource supply chain management to external logistics providers.
The American Revolution provides a number of lessons about supply chains. The British may have had superior logistics but the length of their supply chain made it vulnerable. Maintaining a reliable, safe, and sustainable supply chain was incredibly difficult, especially when it involved shipping supplies over the ocean and sending them on trains to men in the field. Supply chains may be very different today but they have a significant impact.
