To the South! The Idea… British believed that the South was full of LoyalistsBritish believed that the South was full of Loyalists They couldn’t gain control of the North – too much territory and not enough troops to cover it all and hold itThey couldn’t gain control of the North – too much territory and not enough troops to cover it all and hold it Therefore, if they won battles in the South, the southern Loyalists would keep the area occupied for themTherefore, if they won battles in the South, the southern Loyalists would keep the area occupied for them

Charleston & Savannah December 1778 the British quickly capture SavannahDecember 1778 the British quickly capture Savannah Using it as a port, they are able to unload enough supplies and men to conquer GeorgiaUsing it as a port, they are able to unload enough supplies and men to conquer Georgia In 1780, General Clinton traps the Americans in Charleston, South Carolina. Americans lose most of their southern army in the worst American defeat of the war.In 1780, General Clinton traps the Americans in Charleston, South Carolina. Americans lose most of their southern army in the worst American defeat of the war.

The Vicious Battles for the South After the defeats in the South, Congress appointed Gen. Gates in charge of Patriot forces.After the defeats in the South, Congress appointed Gen. Gates in charge of Patriot forces. En route to South Carolina, he was joined by a band of men led by Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox.”En route to South Carolina, he was joined by a band of men led by Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox.” Marion’s knowledge of the swampland would help cut off British supplies to Charlestown.Marion’s knowledge of the swampland would help cut off British supplies to Charlestown.

The End of Gates By the time Gates reached the British lines outside Camden, his forces were weary, out of supplies, and mostly untrained men.By the time Gates reached the British lines outside Camden, his forces were weary, out of supplies, and mostly untrained men. When the British attacked, the American forces fled, and Gates lost his command.When the British attacked, the American forces fled, and Gates lost his command. Marion took his “guerilla” Marion took his “guerilla” fighters, and effectively cut off British supplies to Charleston – opening up guerilla war on both sides.

Vicious War Tired of getting nowhere, the battles in the south turned brutal.Tired of getting nowhere, the battles in the south turned brutal. October 1780, at King’s Mountain in South Carolina, Americans surrounded and slaughtered over 1000 British soldiers and Loyalists, as revenge for slaughters the British had carried out earlier.October 1780, at King’s Mountain in South Carolina, Americans surrounded and slaughtered over 1000 British soldiers and Loyalists, as revenge for slaughters the British had carried out earlier.

Nathaneal Greene General Gates was replaced by one of Washington’s men, Nathaneal Greene.General Gates was replaced by one of Washington’s men, Nathaneal Greene. Greene had been cast out of the Quaker church due to his belief in warfare, against Quaker ideals of pacifism.Greene had been cast out of the Quaker church due to his belief in warfare, against Quaker ideals of pacifism. Greene’s tactics were to avoid full-scale war, and instead tire out the British by leading them around the countryside, wearing them out.Greene’s tactics were to avoid full-scale war, and instead tire out the British by leading them around the countryside, wearing them out. The British began to call for an end to the war.The British began to call for an end to the war.

The End By 1781, Cornwallis and the British had made their base in Yorktown, Virginia.By 1781, Cornwallis and the British had made their base in Yorktown, Virginia. By August of 1781, Washington took this as an advantage, and had the French cut off all supply lines from the sea.By August of 1781, Washington took this as an advantage, and had the French cut off all supply lines from the sea. Washington, with the help of Jean Rochambeau, cornered Cornwallis and his troops on the Chesapeake Bay peninsula.Washington, with the help of Jean Rochambeau, cornered Cornwallis and his troops on the Chesapeake Bay peninsula.

Battle of Yorktown Washington and his troops surrounded Yorktown and bombarded them until the town lay in rubble.Washington and his troops surrounded Yorktown and bombarded them until the town lay in rubble. October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his force of 8000.October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his force of This battle became the last major battle of the war, and the British Prime Minister began to draft the peace treaty.This battle became the last major battle of the war, and the British Prime Minister began to draft the peace treaty.

Treaty of Paris, 1783 The peace treaty had six conditions:The peace treaty had six conditions: –The United States was independent –The boundaries were the Mississipi R., Canada, and Spanish Florida –The U.S. had the right to fish off Canada’s coast –Each side would repay debts to the other –British would return any enslaved persons that had been captured –Congress would return property seized from Loyalists

Costs of the War An estimated 25,700 Americans died in the war, with 1400 missing.An estimated 25,700 Americans died in the war, with 1400 missing. British lost about 10,000 soldiers.British lost about 10,000 soldiers. Congress had a debt of nearly 27 million to pay off, with no way to do it.Congress had a debt of nearly 27 million to pay off, with no way to do it. 60, ,000 Loyalists fled the country, mostly to Canada (hence the English and French languages).60, ,000 Loyalists fled the country, mostly to Canada (hence the English and French languages).

How did Americans pull it off? Better leadership – Washington wasn’t over-confident, and learned from his mistakes – and never gave upBetter leadership – Washington wasn’t over-confident, and learned from his mistakes – and never gave up Foreign aid – Foreign loans and military were essentialForeign aid – Foreign loans and military were essential Knowledge of land – helped U.S. dominate everywhere but the seaportsKnowledge of land – helped U.S. dominate everywhere but the seaports Motivation – at stake were liberty, lives and property!Motivation – at stake were liberty, lives and property!