What was a popular strategy of tHE patriots in the south?

Answer 1

Historical Background:

The revolutionary war in the South was mostly a series of guerrilla attacks on British forces. The British strategy in this war was complicated (and not much unlike the U.S. effort in Vietnam). Whereas the Americans had to wear down the British so that they eventually would give up these colonies, the British had to not only fight an elusive enemy, but fight them in such as way that American sympathy for the British was not destroyed. There were pockets of loyalists throughout the South. Carolinas farmers, many Native American tribes, and some slaves promised their freedom were among those who fought along side the British. Despite these and other sources of Loyalists, a larger percentage of the Southern population consisted of Patriots.

As it turned out, Patriot strength in the South was crucial. The war for independence was won in the South. The Continental Army's northern victory at Saratoga against Burgoyne in October 1777 inspired Patriots everywhere, revived Washington's army, and helped convince the French that a military alliance with the Americans might work to their advantage. Subsequent entry of the French as allies of the American insurgents drew British attention toward the south for three reasons. First, the British thought there were more Loyalists in the South and so the South could more readily be returned to British control. Second, the products of the South -rice, indigo, and tobacco-were the real colonial money-makers. Third, the French navy threatened British colonies in the Caribbean. Sources of grand fortunes for many in the British upper class, these sugar islands were the pearls of the empire's New World possessions. They were more important to members of the British ruling class than were the thirteen rebellious mainland colonies.

The new British strategy around 1778 was to pacify the Southern colonies and install Loyalist governments. Having secured this area, the British could move northward to capture and defeat Washington's army between Virginia and the Loyalist colony of New York. After that, pockets of militia resistance in New England would be relatively easy to defeat. Meanwhile, the British navy could provide logistical support while it also protected British colonies in the Caribbean. At first, it seemed that this strategy would work. Georgia fell to the British in 1778. Fighting against militia groups continued in the Carolinas for more than a year, much of it guerrilla type ambush warfare. Charleston, South Carolina resisted a long siege, but finally surrendered in mid-May, 1780, with 3,300 American soldiers captured. After this victory, British General Clinton returned to New York. Thinking that much of the South had been regained, he assigned Lord Cornwallis that task of mopping up pockets of resistance in South Carolina. An attack on Cornwallis' forces by over 3000 American troops in August 1780 was a terrible failure. The Carolinas seemed secure. Despite this defeat, guerrilla warfare resumed in the western part of the South Carolina. Fierce and determined battles were fought between regular British troops and militia forces. This type of warfare spread to Georgia and North Carolina.

At Yorktown the French navy engaged and defeated the British navy in the Chesapeake. Cornwallis's troops could not be evacuated from Yorktown. French land forces aided Washington's army and Patriot militia units (totaling 16,000 soldiers) in defeating Cornwallis's army (7,800 troops). Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. Limited skirmishing continued until the Treaty of Paris ended the war in 1783. But, for the most part, the war for independence had been won.

Answer 2

Not to make you feel stupid but the Patriots and British were the Revolutionary War and the North and South was the Civil War, which are you talking about?

Answer 3

sorry i dont know. i wanted to know too. when you find out please tell me.

Answer 4

Guerrilla Warfare