Read the paragraph. the american revolution was not a war that promised a simple victory; nobody expected washington and the colonists to win. fortunately, general george washington was a great patriot and an effective leader. though his troops were fewer in number, he proved to be a gifted strategist. through hard work, he succeeded against all odds. what is the topic sentence of this passage? fortunately, general george washington was a great patriot and an effective leader. though his troops were fewer in number, he proved to be a gifted strategist. the american revolution was not a war that promised a simple victory; nobody expected washington and the colonists to win. through hard work, he succeeded against all odds.