WHICH BATTLE, IN YOUR OPINION, WAS MOST SIGNIFICANT IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WHY?!? Do Now

War’s End and Lasting Effects 18 th century standards – American Revolution was very radical First time overseas colonists rejected the empire

British Invade the South British expected Loyalist support in the South  North Carolina  South Carolina  Georgia British made poor decisions

The British win early victories Similar to the North – British won majority of battles in South 1778 – Seized Savannah, Georgia 1780 – Captured Charleston, South Carolina and 5,000 patriot soldiers Spanish forces made key attacks on British forts in the Gulf Coast region 1780 – Spanish captured a British fort in Mobile, Alabama 1781 – Took a fort in Pensacola, Florida – capital in West Florida Diverted British troops from Revolutionary War efforts

Patriots drive the British back British failed to control the Southern countryside October 1780 – Kings Mountain  South Carolina  Patriot armies devastated Loyalist militias – took prisoners  Neutral civilians swing support to Patriots Early 1781 – Continental Army inflicted heavy losses to British at:  Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina  Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina Changed momentum of the War Cornwallis marched his troops to Yorktown into a trap

War Ends Four factors contributed to the winning of the war  British made tactical mistakes – underestimated the Patriots  British misunderstood the political nature of conflict  Patriots were highly motivated and benefited from G. Washington  Patriots received assistance from France

Cornwallis Surrenders Summer of 1781 – Washington marched his troops south Washington wanted to trap the Redcoats at Yorktown, Virginia Washington needed help from France France’s navy blocked British navy from entering Chesapeake Bay Cornwallis was trapped at Yorktown, Virginia

Treaty of Paris Seven years of fighting – British public was fed up with casualties and tax Treaty of Paris  Recognized American independence  Granted generous boundaries to the United States Ben Franklin secured more territory than the Patriots had won Relations with France became strained

Revolution Impacts Society - British abandon their allies Loyalists & Slaves  British tried to protect their Loyalist allies  State laws and mob violence prevented Loyalists from returning home  Roughly 90,000, including 20,000 fugitive slaves, became refugees  Slaves became re-enslaved in West Indies

North American After the Treaty of Paris

Revolution Impacts Society - British abandon their allies Native Americans  Ignored by Treaty of Paris  Native Americans were forced to give up massive tracts of land  Revolution was a disaster to Indians

Revolution Impacts Women Women gained few political/legal rights from war Gained respect – seen as “republican mothers” Republic needed virtuous citizens – learned from their mothers Women looked to have more rights when creating new nation Women could not vote or own property

Changes for African Americans Slavery – inconsistent with ideals of the Revolution Slavery was accepted as the “norm” Some spoke out against slavery Revolution – inspired slaves to demand freedom Slaves joined in on the war effort Revolution led to emancipation in North SSlavery was not needed for economy Northern slave owners sold slaves to the South Slaves – essential to planation economy Manumission – voluntarily freeing of slaves Southern whites feared freed blacks would seek revenge

Revolutionary Ideas Spread “All men are created equal” – used by African Americans and women when fighting for equal rights American Revolution inspired revolution in France and Latin America 20 th century – Africans and Asians began national liberation movement American Revolution – changed the world