Final answer:
Option (b), Patriot leaders believed a defensive war against the British would succeed primarily due to their knowledge of the terrain, which allowed for effective guerrilla tactics and conservation of resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many Patriot leaders believed that fighting a defensive war against the British would be most successful because they had knowledge of the terrain. This advantage allowed them to engage in guerrilla tactics, utilize their environment effectively, and create strategic defensive positions. Their familiarity with local geography was a significant asset compared to the British, who were fighting on unfamiliar ground.
The Revolutionary War saw numerous instances where this keen understanding of the terrain played a critical role, such as Washington's surprise attack at Trenton and the effective Southern campaign under Nathanael Greene. Moreover, fighting defensively meant that the Patriots could also conserve their limited resources and manpower, forcing the British to extend their supply lines.
A defensive stance also relied on the hope that the British would become overextended and that support for the war in Britain would diminish over time, which in fact, occurred, particularly after the entry of France into the war on the side of the American Patriots. This tactic, combined with other factors such as British underestimation of colonial resolve, the development of colonial unity, and geopolitical considerations, ultimately contributed to the successful bid for American independence.