Seize the Hudson River Seize the Hudson River Valley Cut off New England Cut off New England from other colonies Hope was to keep fighting centralized Hope was to keep fighting centralized Saratoga ended this Saratoga ended this strategy

Britain in the South Britain saw it would be difficult to unite the American colonies back into the British empire Britain saw it would be difficult to unite the American colonies back into the British empire British efforts concentrated in the South British efforts concentrated in the South –Large population of Loyalists –Slave population –Close to West Indies Took over Charleston, S.C. Took over Charleston, S.C. – Worst defeat for Americans General Cornwallis stayed & had victory at Camden, S.C. General Cornwallis stayed & had victory at Camden, S.C.

Patriot Strategy Guerrilla Warfare Guerrilla Warfare –Hiding in the brush –Hit & run technique –Caught British off guard Francis Marion –Most successful guerrilla leader –Known as “Swamp Fox”

Cornwallis sets up camp at Yorktown Cornwallis sets up camp at Yorktown Washington sends Lafayette south to Yorktown & plans a complex attack of Yorktown Washington sends Lafayette south to Yorktown & plans a complex attack of Yorktown –Originally was to attack New York –General Clinton of Britain was expecting attacks at New York Washington learns of French navy heading to Chesapeake Bay Washington learns of French navy heading to Chesapeake Bay

3 groups head south to Virginia 3 groups head south to Virginia –Lafayette’s troops –Washington & a French army led by Comte de Rochambeau –French fleet under de Grasse Yorktown (continued)

British officers were unaware of the American strategy –14,000 American/French –7,500 British/Hessians trapped –French naval fleet blockaded the bay October 9, 1781 –American/French bombard Yorktown October 19, 1781 October 19, 1781 –Cornwallis surrenders

Patriots claimed victory at Yorktown Patriots claimed victory at Yorktown Britain thought war was too costly to continue Britain thought war was too costly to continue British begin talking secretly with Ben Franklin to end the war

Treaty of Paris (1783) Congress creates a preliminary treaty Congress creates a preliminary treaty Main Terms Main Terms recognize U.S. as independent nation –Britain recognize U.S. as independent nation –U.S. extends to Mississippi River in the west…Canada in north...Spanish FL in south –British withdraw all troops and open coast of Canada –British merchants can collect U.S. debts –Loyalists properties that were taken would be returned