7.3 The Path to Victory Learning Targets 5. Be able to explain what happened when the war moved to the South 6. Be able to analyze reasons why the Americans won the war

The War Moves South ► The British were able to control cities in the North but were unable to control the countryside. ► In 1778 they pushed the British war effort to the South because  The British believed that most Southerners were Loyalists who would support an invading British Army.  The British expected Southern slaves to escape and join them because the British had promised to grant the slaves freedom.

Battles of Savannah Charles Town ► December 1778 the British captured the port of Savannah, Georgia and with it most of Georgia. ► In 1780 forces let by General Henry Clinton Captured Charleston South Carolina. Clinton’s British Army surrounded the City  Continental General Benjamin Lincoln tried to withdrawal but the city leaders would not let them and after several days of fighting Lincoln was forced to surrender.  The lost over 5000 men it was the worst defeat for the Patriots in the Revolution.  The Continental Army lost over 5000 men it was the worst defeat for the Patriots in the Revolution.

Savannah and Charles Town

Continental Army in the South after Charles Town ► General Horatio Gates and the Baron DeKalb troops formed the New army of the South’s core. ► 2000 Militia made up the rest.  They were in no condition to fight.  They were out of supplies and half-starved  Most were untrained or inexperienced. ► The Militia Ran at the Battle of Camden and General Gates Ran with them.  The Baron DeKalb was killed when he stayed to allow the rest of his troops to escape.

Guerrilla War ► With the loss of both Armies the Americans turned to Guerrilla Warfare  They used unorthodox methods, sneak attacks to keep the British off Balance ► Guerilla Warfare the British were unable to deal with this form of warfare and it kept the British from taking over the South. ► The guerrilla militia attacked supply lines and small units to keep the British from moving North to attack General Washington’s forces. Francis Marion The Swamp Fox

King’s Mountain and General Greene ► With there being a significant number of Loyalists in the South the British form a Loyalists Army of 1000 men.  The British commander challenges the Patriots saying his men couldn’t be beaten.  The Patriots attack the Loyalists at King’s Mountain killing almost 700 of these soldiers. ► General Nathanial Greene is sent by Washington to put together a new Southern Army.  Greene uses Washington’s Strategy to fight and runaway forcing British General Lord Cornwallis to chase him through out the South.

Cornwallis in the South ► Greene ultimately wears out Cornwallis’s Army ► He allowed General Greene to gain the advantage in several battles and not force Greene’s army to surrender. ► Cornwallis made his base at Yorktown, Virginia which was on Peninsula making it easy to trap the British when the French Fleet and Washington arrive.

Yorktown ► The French fleet and French Army help Washington to surround Cornwallis at Yorktown. ► The Americans and French were able to capture British Redoubts (forts) to move their artillery in to reach of Yorktown. ► The French fleet kept supplies from reaching the city and also kept the British Army from escaping ► Cornwallis is bombarded into surrendering his 7000 men. ► While the British could have continued the war it had become so unpopular that the British decided to focus their efforts in other parts of the world.

► Yorktown

Patriot Victory ► Patriots fought for their lives, property, and political ideas. ► Many civilians actively supported the Revolution ► American generals learned from their mistakes ► France, Spain, and the Dutch aided the American cause ► Americans fought close to home ► In some way 250,000 people fought for the patriot cause. ► The British and Hessians fought for pay ► There was no widespread support for the War in Britain ► British generals were often overconfident and didn’t work together ► The British had no allies ► It took months for messages and supplies to reach America ► By 1781, 54,000 troops for the British