The American Revolution War’s End & Lasting Effects 4.4

Focus Question? What did the Revolution accomplish, and what ideas did it set in motion?

The British invade the South The British were counting on support from southern farmers from NC, SC, and GA. However, the British continued their strategy of conventional warfare and did not support loyalist militias.

The British won most of the battles and captured southern seaports: Savannah captured in 1778 Charlestown captured in 1780 Patriots crushed at Camden in 1780 Despite these victories, the British lost popular support in the South.

In an attempt to assert Spanish power in North America, General Bernardo de Galvez attack several British strongholds in the Gulf Coast Region. These attacks distracted the British and allowed the Patriots to regain confidence and strength.

The Patriots Drive Back the British Despite winning many battles, the British failed to control the countryside where brutal battles were taking place between Loyalists and Patriots. In Oct. 1780, Patriots forces crushed the Loyalist militia & executed many prisoners at Kings Mountain (SC). Over time neutral civilians came to blame the British for chaos in their lives and joined the Patriots.

General Cornwallis (GB) became increasingly frustrated as the Patriots continued to gain sympathy. In 1781, Nathanael Greene and Daniel Morgan inflicted heavy losses on the British at Cowpens, South Carolina, and Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. Cornwallis gave up on the Carolinas and headed north toward Yorktown, Virginia.

The War Ends Although early on it seemed unlikely the Patriots would win the war. Four main factors contributed to their success: British underestimated the Patriots. British misunderstood the political nature of the war. Patriots were highly motivated and benefited from Washington’s leadership. The French came to the aid of the Patriots.

Cornwallis Surrenders In 1781, Washington marched his troops south. He hoped to trap General Cornwallis in Yorktown, Va. Washington was counted on a French Fleet to prevent the British from evacuating their troops. Given the lack of communication, this coordination was an incredible stroke of luck.

Trapped by land and sea, Cornwallis surrenders his army of 8,000 troops on Oct. 19th. The French had made the critical difference. At Yorktown, French soldiers and sailors outnumbered the Patriots.

The Treaty of Paris After 7 years of fighting, the British were fed up with the war. American delegates, including Benjamin Franklin, worked out the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The treaty recognized American independence. In addition, the United States gained far more territory than it won. However, this treaty helped to strain American relations with the French.

The Treaty Recognized Independence but… Women gained few political or legal rights. About 90,000 Loyalists became refugees. Some resettled in Canada. Many African Americans were re-enslaved and sent to the British West Indies. Native Americans were ignored by the treaty and abandoned by Britain.

In the North, some slaves petitioned or sued for freedom In the North, some slaves petitioned or sued for freedom. Thousands of African Americans volunteered to fight the British. In the South, some planters voluntarily freed their slaves in an action called manumission. However, southern whites feared black reprisals. The Revolution led to emancipation in the North but not the South, where slaves were a third of the population.

Revolutionary Ideas Spread The Revolution spread the idea of “liberty” home and abroad. “All men created equal” written by Jefferson probably meant only white men, however, both African-American and Women used these words to claim their rights. The American Revolution also inspired other countries to rebel against oppressive leaders. Ex. French Rev. 1789