North Carolina Constitution December 18, 1776 Created a General Assembly, House of Commons and a Senate Each County elected two members to the House of Commons and one member to the Senate. All free men who paid taxes, could vote for House member. But only those who owned at least 50 acres of land could vote for senators. Not Allowed to hold office: clergymen, Roman Catholics, Jews, and atheists.
War in the North By November 1776, Long Island, New York City, and Fort Lee in New Jersey were under British control. Washington led his army through New Jersey and across the Delaware river into Pennsylvania.
War in the North On Christmas night 1776, Washington attacked a group of Hessians—German soldiers fighting for the British—stationed in Trenton. Washington crossed the Delaware river surprising the Hessians and won the Battle of Trenton.
War in the North The British sent three armies to meet in Albany and cut off New England from the remainder of the colonies. The plan fails Battle of Saratoga: October 17, 1777. The Patriots win the battle marking the turning point of the American Revolution.
War in the South By 1778, The British had not restored royal authority in the middle colonies. December 1778: The British army (by sea) captured Savannah and restored royal authority in Georgia. Spring 1779: 13,000 men capture Charles Town.
Lord Cornwallis Orders: to hold Georgia and South Carolina, and retake North Carolina.
1780 A hot and humid summer North Carolina prepares for invasion George Washington sent General Horatio Gates to Hillsborough with 2,000 men.
June 20th, 1780: Battle of Ramsours Mill Near Present Day Lincolnton Loyalists vs Patriots 400 American militia defeated 1300 Loyalists Fought between neighbors Significant because it lowered loyalist morale
Battle Of Camden August 16, 1780 Cornwallis vs Gates 1,500 British vs 3,700 American Humiliating defeat for the Americans
North Carolina Invaded On September 8, 1780: Lord Cornwallis finally set out from Camden for Charlotte Cornwallis found that few Loyalists rose to support him; instead Patriots followers rose to attack him along the whole way. By the time Cornwallis reached Charlotte, he had decided that he was in the “hornets nest” of the revolution.
Battle of Charlotte Battle of Charlotte: September 26, 1780 Led by William Davie The battle takes place at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. (Now Trade and Tryon BOA building) Small skirmish, upon which Cornwallis occupied Charlotte.
General Tarleton Nicknamed “The Butcher” “Bloody Ban”
Battle of Kings Mountain British Major Patrick Ferguson was sent by Cornwallis with 1,100 men towards the mountains. Mission: To raise more troops and protect the main armies flank. The Over-Mountain Men chased Ferguson and his men up Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780. They killed Ferguson and 119 of his men. The rest were captured or wounded. Significance: Caused Cornwallis to retreat back to South Carolina. Victory stopped the invasion of NC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siUUA6KpY4s