Winning the War in the South Aim: How did the Americans win the war?

Fighting in the South Commander-in-chief of the British army in 1778 was Sir Henry Clinton Planned to march through the south and gain support from many southern loyalists Quickly won battles at Savannah, Charleston and Camden

Patriots versus Loyalists Patriots and Loyalists fought in the backcountry of Carolina Launched violent raids, burned farms and killed and tortured civilians By 1780 cruel attacks by the British and Loyalists resulted in added Patriot support

American Generals Arrive in the South Nathanael Greene: from Rhode Island; second best American military leader Daniel Morgan: from Virginia; implemented clever tactics to beat the British Greene and Morgan help to turn tide of the war

Nathanael Greene Took command of Continental Army in the South in 1780 Had knowledge of local geography Engaged British in unfamiliar territory Wore out Cornwallis’s army by fighting on the move

Daniel Morgan Divided soldiers into a front and rear line After two volleys had front line retreat British soldiers caught by surprise when they ran into rear line Won the Battle of Cowpens using this tactic Greene and Morgan fought together in Greensboro; although they retreated, the British took huge casualties

Francis Marion From South Carolina; aka Swamp Fox Led a militia; slept by day traveled by night Used guerrilla/hit-run tactics Attacked British by moving in and out of swamp lands

An American Traitor Cornwallis failed to take the Carolinas and moved to Virginia because of previous success in area by Benedict Arnold Arnold was a former American General who believed wasn’t given enough credit While in command of West Point secretly surrendered the fort to the British

Battle at Yorktown Cornwallis had success in Charlottesville Lafayette lacked men but kept the British in Yorktown Cornwallis made the mistake of retreating to Yorktown peninsula Washington and the French moved down from NY, while French fleet the Chesapeake Bay

British Surrender 16,000 troops laid siege to Cornwallis’ 8,000 troops Cut off entry of all British supplies Americans and French continued to attack while Cornwallis held out for weeks October 19, 1781 the British surrendered their weapons and were forced to walk down the rows of American and French officers

Treaty of Paris (II) Peace talks began in Paris in 1782 Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay and Henry Laurens represented America Britain was eager to end the war after their defeat and were willing to give the Americans what they wanted

Terms of the Treaty Britain must recognize the United States as an Independent Nation Borders extended from Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River and from the Great lakes to the northern border of Florida Florida was given back to Spain State legislatures must repay Loyalists for lost property Treaty was ratified on April 15, 1783

How did the Americans win the War? Geography: 3,000 mi away from Britain; Americans were in familiar territory Foreign Aid: Spanish and French played a huge role in the American victory Patriotism: American dedication