DC US History CH 6.3 War In The South

Stalemate by 1778: War faced a stalemate; Britain desired peace, but King George III insisted on defeating the colonies.
Shift to Southern Strategy: Britain focused on southern colonies, expecting support from Tories (Loyalists.) This brought initial success, with the British capturing Savannah in December 1778.
Role of Enslaved Individuals: Many enslaved people joined the British for freedom, complicating the Revolution's racial dynamics.

Division and Violence: South Carolina was divided; violence erupted in the backcountry during the Revolution.
Siege of Charleston (1780): Major British victory; General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered, resulting in the largest American loss of the war.
Leadership Changes: Continental Congress replaced Lincoln with General Horatio Gates, who also faced defeat at Camden, forcing another leadership change to General Nathanael Greene.

Greene's Strategy: Greene did not aim to win every battle; he focused on disrupting British forces through strategic retreats.
Crucial Victories: Greene's forces won at the Battle of Cowpens and inflicted losses at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, turning the tide in favor of the Americans.

Cornwallis's Move to Yorktown (1781): Expected reinforcements from the British Navy, but was trapped by French-American forces.
Siege of Yorktown: Lasted eight days; Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. The surrender is famously associated with the song "The World Turned Upside Down."

Impact of Yorktown: British defeat made war outcome certain; Parliament voted to end military efforts.
Diplomatic Negotiations: In April 1782, peace talks began; Treaty of Paris was finalized in September 1783, recognizing U.S. independence and establishing borders.
Loyalists' Rights: Treaty encouraged respect for Loyalists' rights and property returns.