1. The American Revolution

2. 8-2.4 Compare the perspectives of different groups of South Carolinians during the American Revolution, including Patriots, Tories/Loyalists, women, enslaved and free Africans, and Native Americans.
8-2.5 Summarize the role of South Carolinians in the course of the American Revolution, including the use of partisan warfare and the battles of Charleston, Camden, Cowpens, and Kings Mountain.

3. The Road to War
Provincial Congress – name of the governing body for S.C. established by the General Committee of 99
1. Made plans to implement the Continental Association
2. Elected representatives to Second Continental Congress
3. Began preparations to establish a stronger militia

4. The British are Coming!
The first two battles of the American Revolution Lexington & Concord in Massachusetts
Paul Revere’s “The British are coming”
“the shots heard around the world”

5. Second Continental Congress
After hearing of these battles, Christopher Gadsden wanted the colonies to declare their independence immediately! Most others did not agree
Established a Continental Army under the command of Gen. George Washington
Tried again to make peace with Great Britain

6. Loyalists & Patriots
Civil war began in S.C. between the Loyalists & Patriots
Most of the Loyalists were in the Up Country
Most of the Patriots were in the Low Country
Due to the high number of Loyalists in S.C. there were more battles in S.C. than any other colony

7. S.C.’s First Constitution
Continental Congress suggested that the Provincial Congress write a constitution to set up a “temporary government” – made S.C. a state not a colony!
S.C. constitution of 1776
1. Bicameral legislation
2. Voters elected lower house
3. Lower house elected upper house
4. Both together elected a “president” of the state

8. Low Country had more representatives in the lower house than the Up Country
1. Was a way to keep the government in the hands of the patriots and the elite

9. Declaration of Independence
Edward Rutledge asked Second Continental Congress for 3 weeks to consult with legislature
1st vote S.C. voted against the Declaration of Independence!
For no known reason, on the 2nd vote they voted yes.

10. The War for Independence
Battle for Charles Town
British set sail to attack.
British were not able to join up with a force of loyalists from N.C. – At the Moore’s Creek Bridge battle, the patriots defeated this force of loyalists
British still attacked the fort on Sullivan’s Island

13. Battle of Fort Sullivan
To try to finish the fort, they made the walls out of palmetto trees with sand between
British ships ran into shallow waters which forced them to become easy targets for the cannons on Fort Sullivan
British guns were unable to penetrate the spongy palmetto log fort!
Sgt. William Jasper went over the wall to rescue the fort’s battle flag
Fort was renamed Fort Moultrie after Gen. Moultrie who led the patriots

14. After the battle, a palmetto tree was added to the flag.
Became our present day State Flag

15. The Early Campaigns
Gen. George Washington’s most skillful accomplishment was his ability to know when to retreat to keep the Continental Army from being captured!
American Saratoga was important for the Americans
1. improved morale
2. led directly to France entering into an alliance with the U.S. in early 1778

16. The War Moves South
Vast majority of South Carolinians were afraid that slaves would rebel if they had guns
Agreed to only allow slaves to join the army as cooks or engineers, thereby freeing up white men to fight
British decided that if the South was captured the rebellion could be stopped
Many slaves & more loyalists in the South

17. The Siege of Charles Town
Charleston was under siege by the British land forces for many days.
Charleston harbor was blockaded and supply lines were cut off.
Patriot troops, trapped on the peninsula, were forced to surrender to the British.
Other Patriot forces in SC also surrendered.
British hoped that SC loyalists and the large numbers of South Carolinians who remained neutral would help them to control the state and contribute to winning the war.

18. British Mistakes
British forces treated the colonists harshly, burning churches, looting or confiscating homes and harassing and mistreating citizens.
This harsh treatment turned many South Carolinians against the British and they formed partisan bands.
Soon Patriot partisans were fighting both the British regular troops and Loyalist forces using hit and run tactics.

19. “Tarleton’s Quarters”
After British captured Charles Town, they began an offensive to conquer the whole state
Colonel Banastre “Bloody”Tarleton slaughtered the Waxhaws – “Tarleton’s Quarters”!
Convinced some neutrals to join patriots

20. Battle of Camden Major defeat for the regular Continental Army
SC militia was not prepared and turned and fled in the face of the regular British forces.
British on the brink of conquering the entire state of South Carolina!

21. Battle of King’s Mountain
Mountainmen from both NC and SC attacked the Tory forces from behind rocks and trees.
Loyalists lost = 1100 men
Patriots lost = 40
“No quarter!” for the British
This battle has been called the “turning point of the war”

23. Battle of King’s Mountain – The Turning Point in the War

24. PARTISAN TROOPS
SUMTER MARION PICKENS
Pickens

25. Battle of Cowpens
Showed cooperation of the regular Continental Army and the irregular partisan forces.
Partisans led by Andrew Pickens, led the attack and then fled the field, tricking the British regulars into thinking that the Americans were retreating.
Instead, the partisans lured the British forces into the guns of the regular American army.
The victory had a tremendous effect on the American Revolution
The British were soundly defeated and retreated northward toward Virginia

26. Battle of Cowpens

27. Guerilla Warfare
A tactic in which small groups of soldiers harass of launch surprise attacks on the enemy and then suddenly disappear
“Swamp Fox” – Francis Marion
“The Gamecock” – Thomas Sumter
“Wizard Owl” – Andrew Pickens

28. Andrew Pickens Was named the “Wizard Owl” by Upcountry Native
Americans
Defeated the British in the
Battle of Cowpens

29. Thomas Sumter
British burned his home and he responded by rallying backcountry men into a partisan fighting force.
His hit and run guerrilla tactics and his tenacity earned him the nickname “Gamecock.”
His forces attacked British supply lines and loyalist forces in the Upcountry giving hope to the Patriot cause.

30. Francis Marion Organized on SC’s northeast coast
Launched surprise attacks on the British and then disappeared into the lowcountry swamps earning him the nickname “Swamp Fox”

32. Battle of Yorktown
The effect of the harassing led to Cornwallis’s troops not getting rest or supplies!
By Oct. 1781, Cornwallis was cornered near Yorktown, Va. and forced to surrender.

33. Treaty of Paris Henry Laurens appointed as a delegate
Was generous for the United States
U.S. was independent
Western boundary of U.S. was Mississippi River down to 31 degrees north latitude
Spain would control the territory below that line (included Florida)
Received fishing rights off coast of Canada
Both would pay any prewar debts
Americans would not confiscate any more land that had belonged to loyalists
British would leave their forts in the west

35. South Carolina’s 2nd Constitution
For the most part 1778 document was almost the same as the 1776 constitution
President would now be called governor (John Rutledge was elected 1st governor)
Representation in the lower house was shared a little more equally between the Low & Up Country
Anglican religion was disestablished
Guaranteed right of a free press

36. Slavery During the Revolution
How do you fight for freedom and liberty and yet own slaves?
Henry Laurens told his son that he was…”trying to find ways to free his slaves, but the law restricted his actions”
Did not want to offer slaves freedom in return for fighting in the war as the British did
The threat of a slave rebellion was always on their minds