Winning the War in the South

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
Generals 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
  Greenes 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
  1783. Crowds cheered him on his way to Mt.
  Vernon.