The American Revolution

8-2.4 Compare the perspectives of different groups of South Carolinians during the American Revolution, including Patriots, Tories/Loyalists, women, enslaved and free Africans, and Native Americans. 8-2.5 Summarize the role of South Carolinians in the course of the American Revolution, including the use of partisan warfare and the battles of Charleston, Camden, Cowpens, and Kings Mountain.

The Road to War Provincial Congress – name of the governing body for S.C. established by the General Committee of 99 1. Made plans to implement the Continental Association 2. Elected representatives to Second Continental Congress 3. Began preparations to establish a stronger militia

The British are Coming! The first two battles of the American Revolution were @ Lexington & Concord in Massachusetts Paul Revere’s “The British are coming” “the shots heard around the world”

Second Continental Congress After hearing of these battles, Christopher Gadsden wanted the colonies to declare their independence immediately! Most others did not agree Established a Continental Army under the command of Gen. George Washington Tried again to make peace with Great Britain

Loyalists & Patriots Civil war began in S.C. between the Loyalists & Patriots Most of the Loyalists were in the Up Country Most of the Patriots were in the Low Country Due to the high number of Loyalists in S.C. there were more battles in S.C. than any other colony

S.C.’s First Constitution Continental Congress suggested that the Provincial Congress write a constitution to set up a “temporary government” – made S.C. a state not a colony! S.C. constitution of 1776 1. Bicameral legislation 2. Voters elected lower house 3. Lower house elected upper house 4. Both together elected a “president” of the state

Low Country had more representatives in the lower house than the Up Country 1. Was a way to keep the government in the hands of the patriots and the elite

Declaration of Independence Edward Rutledge asked Second Continental Congress for 3 weeks to consult with legislature 1st vote S.C. voted against the Declaration of Independence! For no known reason, on the 2nd vote they voted yes.

The War for Independence Battle for Charles Town British set sail to attack. British were not able to join up with a force of loyalists from N.C. – At the Moore’s Creek Bridge battle, the patriots defeated this force of loyalists British still attacked the fort on Sullivan’s Island

Battle of Fort Sullivan To try to finish the fort, they made the walls out of palmetto trees with sand between British ships ran into shallow waters which forced them to become easy targets for the cannons on Fort Sullivan British guns were unable to penetrate the spongy palmetto log fort! Sgt. William Jasper went over the wall to rescue the fort’s battle flag Fort was renamed Fort Moultrie after Gen. Moultrie who led the patriots

After the battle, a palmetto tree was added to the flag. Became our present day State Flag

The Early Campaigns Gen. George Washington’s most skillful accomplishment was his ability to know when to retreat to keep the Continental Army from being captured! American victory @ Saratoga was important for the Americans 1. improved morale 2. led directly to France entering into an alliance with the U.S. in early 1778

The War Moves South Vast majority of South Carolinians were afraid that slaves would rebel if they had guns Agreed to only allow slaves to join the army as cooks or engineers, thereby freeing up white men to fight British decided that if the South was captured the rebellion could be stopped Many slaves & more loyalists in the South

The Siege of Charles Town Charleston was under siege by the British land forces for many days. Charleston harbor was blockaded and supply lines were cut off. Patriot troops, trapped on the peninsula, were forced to surrender to the British. Other Patriot forces in SC also surrendered. British hoped that SC loyalists and the large numbers of South Carolinians who remained neutral would help them to control the state and contribute to winning the war.

British Mistakes British forces treated the colonists harshly, burning churches, looting or confiscating homes and harassing and mistreating citizens. This harsh treatment turned many South Carolinians against the British and they formed partisan bands. Soon Patriot partisans were fighting both the British regular troops and Loyalist forces using hit and run tactics.

“Tarleton’s Quarters” After British captured Charles Town, they began an offensive to conquer the whole state Colonel Banastre “Bloody”Tarleton slaughtered the patriots @ Waxhaws – “Tarleton’s Quarters”! Convinced some neutrals to join patriots

Battle of Camden Major defeat for the regular Continental Army SC militia was not prepared and turned and fled in the face of the regular British forces. British on the brink of conquering the entire state of South Carolina!

Battle of King’s Mountain Mountainmen from both NC and SC attacked the Tory forces from behind rocks and trees. Loyalists lost = 1100 men Patriots lost = 40 “No quarter!” for the British This battle has been called the “turning point of the war”

Battle of King’s Mountain – The Turning Point in the War

PARTISAN TROOPS SUMTER MARION PICKENS Pickens

Battle of Cowpens Showed cooperation of the regular Continental Army and the irregular partisan forces. Partisans led by Andrew Pickens, led the attack and then fled the field, tricking the British regulars into thinking that the Americans were retreating. Instead, the partisans lured the British forces into the guns of the regular American army. The victory had a tremendous effect on the American Revolution The British were soundly defeated and retreated northward toward Virginia

Battle of Cowpens

Guerilla Warfare A tactic in which small groups of soldiers harass of launch surprise attacks on the enemy and then suddenly disappear “Swamp Fox” – Francis Marion “The Gamecock” – Thomas Sumter “Wizard Owl” – Andrew Pickens

Andrew Pickens Was named the “Wizard Owl” by Upcountry Native Americans Defeated the British in the Battle of Cowpens

Thomas Sumter British burned his home and he responded by rallying backcountry men into a partisan fighting force. His hit and run guerrilla tactics and his tenacity earned him the nickname “Gamecock.” His forces attacked British supply lines and loyalist forces in the Upcountry giving hope to the Patriot cause.

Francis Marion Organized on SC’s northeast coast Launched surprise attacks on the British and then disappeared into the lowcountry swamps earning him the nickname “Swamp Fox”

Battle of Yorktown The effect of the harassing led to Cornwallis’s troops not getting rest or supplies! By Oct. 1781, Cornwallis was cornered near Yorktown, Va. and forced to surrender.

Treaty of Paris Henry Laurens appointed as a delegate Was generous for the United States U.S. was independent Western boundary of U.S. was Mississippi River down to 31 degrees north latitude Spain would control the territory below that line (included Florida) Received fishing rights off coast of Canada Both would pay any prewar debts Americans would not confiscate any more land that had belonged to loyalists British would leave their forts in the west

South Carolina’s 2nd Constitution For the most part 1778 document was almost the same as the 1776 constitution President would now be called governor (John Rutledge was elected 1st governor) Representation in the lower house was shared a little more equally between the Low & Up Country Anglican religion was disestablished Guaranteed right of a free press

Slavery During the Revolution How do you fight for freedom and liberty and yet own slaves? Henry Laurens told his son that he was…”trying to find ways to free his slaves, but the law restricted his actions” Did not want to offer slaves freedom in return for fighting in the war as the British did The threat of a slave rebellion was always on their minds