Why America’s next 250 years can be greater than its first 250

In August of 1776, the Revolution in America was almost snuffed out. Earlier that year, 44-year-old George Washington had marched 19,000 ragtag soldiers to Manhattan after forcing a British evacuation of Boston in the months before the declaration. In July, the British launched an attack on the colonies with the full weight of the most powerful military in the world. British General William Howe arrived at Staten Island with 400 ships and 32,000 well-trained men.

Washington was outflanked, outgunned and outmaneuvered.