1. Winning the War in the South
Chapter 6.5

2. Overview Explain why Britain decided to start fighting in the South.
Describe the British defeat at Yorktown
List the terms of the Treaty of Paris
Explain why the Americans won the war.

3. Fighting in the South
Sir Henry Clinton, new commander in chief, knew Loyalists lived in the backcountry of the South and possibly join them.
December 1778, Savannah, GA and Charleston and Camden SC captured
Patriots and Loyalist launch violent raids against each other, burning homes and killing civilians.
Patriots capture Kings Mountain in Oct 17, 1780

4. General’s Nathaniel Greene and takes command
Greene was a born leader, using the knowledge of local geography and command of the Southern Continental forces.
Engage the British on ground that favored Greene’s forces.
Cornwallis wore out British forces chasing Greene.

5. Battle of Cowpens and Morgan
Morgan divided his command, he ordered the front line to retreat after firing two volleys.
The British thought Americans were retreating, chased them, straight into the second line.
Greene and Morgan combine and meet Cornwallis at Guilford Courthouse, it was the bloodiest of the war, British forces lost many men

6. Victory at Yorktown
Cornwallis decides to leave Carolinas (Spring 1781)
Intended to cut off American supplies to the South
Lafayette raids against the British forces
Cornwallis disregards order from Clinton and retreats to Yorktown Peninsula, trapped, felt he could be supplied by ship.

7. Yorktown (Cont)
French Navy (Admiral de Grasse) defeats British fleet. Cornwallis is cut off.
Washington marches from New York and French soldiers combine at Yorktown to siege.
October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrenders 8,000 troops

8. Paris Peace Treaty
Ben Franklin, John Adams and John Jay (Chief, Justice of Supreme Court).
British recognize the U.S as an independent nation.
Extends to Atlantic to Mississippi and up to Great Lakes and South to Florida.
April 15, 1783, ratified by Congress

9. Why we won
Geography played important role, spread out and familiar with territory.
Foreign help from France from military aid to money.
American growing patriotism, spirit and fighting skills. Eventual inexperience leads to battle hardened troops and skill of officers.
Washington says farewell to army on December Crowds cheered him on his way to Mt. Vernon.