Fighting Shifts to the South Section 19

Fighting Shifts to the South After their plan in Albany failed, the British generals came up with a new plan… They had been fighting the Americans for 3 years in the northern colonies The British had not really been losing the war, but they hadn’t necessarily been winning it either They hoped this plan would change things

Another Plan The British needed a new plan to help them beat the Continental Army… Decide to shift their focus to the southern colonies ADVANTAGES TO THIS PLAN: Most of the Continental Army was stationed in the north, so moving the British forces to the south would catch them off guard Plenty of Loyalists in the south, who would help the British by providing food and supplies After taking over the south, the Continental Army up north would be “squeezed” between all of the British forces up north and down south

Another Plan, cont. Pretty successful plan for the British- for a while… British navy sent soldiers from their base in New York down south to Savannah, Georgia Within a year they controlled all of Georgia Then, they took Charleston, South Carolina Worst defeat of the for Americans: Americans began battle with 5,466 soldiers 92 killed 148 wounded 5,266 captured Still, the British still struggled with crushing their enemy- American military commanders in the south followed Washington’s strategy: Never risked the whole army in one big battle Engaged in small battles, but would not engage in large ones

Another Plan, cont. Southerners also knew the land better than the British did: Set up bases in the swamps of South Carolina Come out of the swamps to attack small groups of British soldiers, then disappear back into the swamp This hit-and-run method of fighting is called guerilla warfare General Francis Marion- nicknamed “Swamp Fox” because he was so successful at this type of battle strategy British won many small battles, but could not catch up to the Americans to defeat them in a large battle Over time, American troops began winning their share of battles, too!

War in the West George Rogers Clark: young Virginian who attacked several British forts out on the northwestern frontier, near the Great Lakes British were using these forts to stir up their Indian allies to attack the American settlers July 4, 1778: Clark and 175 Virginia militiamen captured the first of these forts without firing a shot Later captured two more forts His victories drove the British out of part of the land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River Washington used this success to further encourage the alliance with France

A Victory at Sea Tiny American Navy was still no match for the great British fleet… But the American warships put up a good fight when they met British warships… one at a time John Paul Jones: commander of the American ship, “Bonhomme Richard” when it came upon the British ship, “Serapis”, off the coast of Great Britain

A Victory at Sea, cont. Two ships started firing Deck of American ship caught on fire! British commander demanded that Jones surrender, to which Jones replied, “I have not yet begun to fight!” The Bonhomme Richard sank, but Jones and his men climbed on board the Serapis and took it over One of the most naval famous battles in U.S. history!

Benedict Arnold One of George Washington’s favorite generals Brave and intelligent Became one of greatest disappointments of the Revolutionary War Had helped win the Battle of Saratoga, been promoted to general, and had just been put in command of West Point (a fort on the Hudson River in New York, and the future site of the U.S. Military Academy) by General Washington

Benedict Arnold, cont. Still did not feel appreciated enough by Washington or the U.S. Army Liked to spend much more money than he could afford on luxuries… So when the British offered him a large amount of money, he agreed to turn over West Point to them!

Benedict Arnold, cont. The plan was discovered by the Americans before Arnold could turn over West Point Arnold escaped and fled down the Hudson River, narrowly avoiding capture by Washington and his troops Then joined the British forces, where he was made a general in the British army Led British troops on battles and raids in Virginia and Connecticut

Benedict Arnold, cont. Americans were shocked to learn of Benedict Arnold’s betrayal to George Washington and the United States His name is used today as a synonym for “traitor” Be loyal to your friends, family, school, and country… Don’t be a Benedict Arnold!!!