Download Revolutionary War in the South

Revolutionary War in the South
Craig Girvan, Natalie Martin, Arlene Rosenfeld, Joseph Stringer
Highland Park High School
Grade Levels: Middle/Secondary School
New Jersey Social Studies Content Standards: 6.4.E ; 6.6.B,E
Lesson Summary:
This lesson revolves around a film and a discussion based on the Revolutionary
War in the South, bringing attention to the importance of this theater of combat during
that crucial phase of the War. Other concepts that this lesson addresses are the Native
American relationship with the colonists, the conflict between Loyalists and Patriots in
the Carolinas, and the use of guerrilla war.
Suggested Timeframe: Two 40-minute class periods
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
 understand the British war strategy and tactics in the southern states.
 understand the American war strategy and tactics in the southern states.
 comprehend the significance of the Franco-American alliance.
 Analyze the significance of key battles of the revolution.
Revolutionary War in the South: 1770s and 1780s
Historical Contrasts
British Empire
Essential Historical
Questions
King in Parliament
1. What is the structure of
government?
2. Who, or what group/s
 Monarchy
are the major players?
 Aristocracy
 Gentry
3. What documents, values,
Glorious Revolution
attitudes or beliefs define
these major players?
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American States
Federal Republic
White Male Land Owners
Declaration of
Independence
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.
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Key terms:
 Saratoga
 Long Island
 Yorktown
 Loyalists
 Patriots
 Guerrilla warfare
 Articles of Confederation
 Elite
Do Now: Ask students to explain in writing Washington’s war strategy based on the
reading “Washington’s Strategy: A War of Posts”. Discuss briefly.
Critical Thinking Questions:
I.
What crucial advantages did the Continental Army have in the South that they
did not have in other parts of America?
II.
How / Why was the Revolutionary War finally won in the South?
Anticipatory Set: Review the key points from the previous evening’s homework:
 a textbook reading Liberty: The American Revolution--Times That Try
Men’s Souls, and part of Fatal Ambition, which is primarily about the war
in the northern states, especially the Battle of Long Island and the Battle
of Saratoga, which convinced the British to redirect their war efforts to
the southern states.
Procedures:
I.
Day 1 Activities: Distribute copies of the questions listed below (A-1). Show
the film The World Turned Upside Down from the series, Liberty: The
American Revolution.
 Have students refer to maps in their textbooks for battlefield locations.
 As they view the film, and drawing from their readings, students will
answer the following questions on worksheet A-1.
II.
Day 2 Activities: Have students finish watching the film and complete
answers to the nine questions. Discuss these questions in class.
III.
Extension: Using their texts, the students will complete a map of the major
battles and movements to help them understand the geographic realms of the
Revolutionary War in the South.
Closure: Day 1 and 2: The students will elicit responses to the critical thinking
questions before the end of class.
Evaluation: Successful and accurate completion of each day’s portion of the worksheet.
Suggested Homework: Students will revise and rewrite their written answers to the
questions.
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Resources:
Liberty: The American Revolution (Times That Try Men’s Souls, part of Fatal Ambition,
The World Turned Upside Down), PBS Home Video.
Washington’s Strategy: “A War of Posts,”
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/amrev/north/posts.html
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(A-1)
Revolutionary War in the South Worksheet:
Film: The World Turned Upside Down from the series, Liberty: The American
Revolution.
Complete the following questions from the film:
1. What was the British strategy in the Southern states?
2. How did the British appeal to both Southern Loyalists and slaves? In what ways
was this appeal self-defeating?
3. What was Greene’s strategy in the South?
4. Why did the Americans turn against the British army in these states?
5. Why did Cornwallis’s army find itself trapped in Yorktown?
6. What was the significance of the American alliance with the French?
7. What was the role of African-Americans in this war?
8. Why was Yorktown the most decisive battle of this war?
9. Given that Washington’s army was relatively small and undersupplied, why was it
so difficult to defeat?
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