The Third Phase of the War for Independence Why do underdogs win?

Look at the picture – what do you think is happening here?

Explain this!

Revolution Phase 3 Overview Where was it fought? In the South Why? So the British could get help from loyalists. How did it go? Americans lost most major battles. Americans used guerrilla tactics and strategic retreats to wear the British down. Americans started winning The British retreated, the Americans and French trapped them at Yorktown.

Phase 3 (continued) What were the important battles? Savannah, Charleston, and Camden – British won all. Cowpens and Yorktown – won by Patriots. What did it lead to? British were forced to surrender at Yorktown. 1783: Treaty of Paris was signed. The war was over but not much was solved. This painting of the signing of the Treaty of Paris is missing the British representatives who refused to pose for the painting. This should tell you that there were some unresolved issues!

How did the British try to win the war after Saratoga? 1.Howe was fired and replaced by General Henry Clinton. 2.Kept control of New York City. 3.Attacked the South – to get help from loyalists. 4.Charles Cornwallis took command of the armies in the south. Cornwallis won battles but lost too many men. He asked: “What is our plan? Without one we cannot succeed.” (Hakim, 142)

What went wrong (again)? British took major cities (Savannah and Charleston) but were constantly attacked by Colonial armies who used guerilla tactics. Led by Nathaniel Greene and Francis Marion, Southern Patriot armies were unable to defeat the British in a major battle but the sneak attacks slowly ate away at the British army. Francis Marion (aka the Swamp Fox) attacked at night and helped eat away at the British resolve to fight.

More things going wrong for Britain Spain entered the war to help America in the west to defeat the natives and gain control of the Ohio River Valley). They wanted to share in the rewards. French and Americans began working well together (Army = Lafayette and Rochambeau; Navy = De Grasse) Marquis de Lafayette was a young French noble who came to America and became one of Washington’s closest advisors and a general.

How did the war in the south turn in the American’s favor? Greene outsmarted Cornwallis. He got the British to chase his army and to constantly fight in difficult places (he knew the geography = home field). British were defeated at the Battle of Cowpens. Nathanael Greene was second only to Washington in his military leadership.

War in the South turns (continued) At Guilford Courthouse, Cornwallis defeated both American armies but had so many losses that he needed reinforcements. Cornwallis headed east then north to Virginia to get supplies, and troops Then he could cut off the South from the North by conquering Virginia. The losses at Guilford Court House caused Cornwallis to head for the water so that he could get help from the British Navy.

Guilford Courthouse (1781) one of the Bloodiest battles of the war

How did the war end? Cornwallis set up his base on a peninsula near Yorktown. Americans found out Cornwallis’ plan. French defeated the British fleet and stopped them from rescuing the British troops. They cut off any escape route. French Admiral De Grasse’s victory over the British guaranteed that there could be no retreat for the British at the end of this part of the war!

How did the war end (continued)? Cornwallis sent loyalist troops to attack Charlottesville and capture Governor Thomas Jefferson. The loyalist troops were cut off by American troops led by Lafayette. Captain Jack Jouett road through the night to warn Jefferson that the “Ragoons” were coming to capture him. Jefferson escaped capture by minutes.

War ends (continued) Washington and French general Rochambeau marched their armies south (500+miles) and met up with the other American armies. Cornwallis was trapped. Washington, Lafayette, and Rochambeau organize their plans for the siege of Yorktown.

War ends (continued) Cornwallis could not get any help. He tried to sail across the York River but a storm ruined his escape. After three weeks, the British surrendered. The British (in red) could not break through the American and French trenches. Over the three weeks, American attacks wore down the British and caused many casualties.

What were the results of the war? They agreed to the Treaty of Paris (II) in British recognized the US as an independent nation. Borders set from Atlantic to the Mississippi and from the Great Lakes to the border of Florida. US agreed to pay for damages to loyalists’ property. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay led the Americans who went to negotiate peace.

Real Results Nothing really was solved. The British were upset about the way that they had lost and still thought of the US as a part of their kingdom. (Think about the painting without the British delegates). They British refused to withdraw troops from the Ohio River Valley. The Americans never paid the debts to the loyalists