Why would British and American forces want to control NY during the war

New York City was of utmost importance to the British. The city became their main base of operations. New York was a bastion for Loyalists, or those American colonists who wanted to remain 'loyal' to the Crown. The British occupation of New York lasted until November 1783. Also, New York's ports and the colony's loyalist supporters were the reason the British wanted New York.

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