Southern Campaign

Definition

The Southern Campaign was a series of military operations conducted by the British in the southern colonies during the American Revolutionary War. It was a crucial phase of the conflict that ultimately led to the American victory.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Southern Campaign began in 1778 when the British shifted their focus to the southern colonies, which had a larger population of Loyalists.
2. The British strategy was to rally Loyalist support and cut off the southern colonies from the rest of the United States.
3. Key battles in the Southern Campaign included the Siege of Savannah, the Battle of Camden, and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
4. Partisan leaders such as Francis Marion, Thomas Sumter, and Andrew Pickens played a crucial role in harassing British forces and disrupting their supply lines.
5. The American victory at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781 was a turning point in the Southern Campaign, leading to the eventual British surrender at Yorktown.

Review Questions

• Explain the British strategy behind the Southern Campaign and how it differed from their previous military approach.
  • The British shifted their focus to the southern colonies during the Southern Campaign, hoping to rally Loyalist support and cut off the southern colonies from the rest of the United States. This strategy differed from their previous approach, which had been centered on capturing major northern cities like New York and Philadelphia. By targeting the southern colonies, the British believed they could gain a foothold and eventually control the entire region, ultimately weakening the American forces and leading to a British victory.
• Describe the role of partisan leaders in the Southern Campaign and their impact on the overall outcome.
  • Partisan leaders such as Francis Marion, Thomas Sumter, and Andrew Pickens played a crucial role in the Southern Campaign by engaging in irregular, small-scale military actions against the British forces. Through their guerrilla tactics, they were able to harass the British, disrupt their supply lines, and undermine their control of the region. The success of these partisan leaders ultimately contributed to the American victory in the Southern Campaign, as they were able to weaken the British forces and prevent them from consolidating their hold on the southern colonies.
• Analyze the significance of the Battle of Cowpens in the context of the Southern Campaign and its impact on the overall outcome of the American Revolutionary War.
  • The Battle of Cowpens was a decisive American victory in the Southern Campaign, where Continental forces under Daniel Morgan defeated British troops led by Banastre Tarleton. This battle was a turning point in the Southern Campaign, as it dealt a significant blow to the British forces and demonstrated the effectiveness of the American strategy of combining regular and irregular troops. The victory at Cowpens helped to weaken the British position in the South, ultimately contributing to their eventual surrender at Yorktown and the American victory in the Revolutionary War. The success of the American forces at Cowpens showcased their ability to adapt their tactics and effectively counter the British military strategy in the southern colonies.

Related terms

Loyalists: American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War.

Partisan Warfare: Irregular, small-scale military actions carried out by lightly armed civilian groups against a conventional army.

Battle of Cowpens: A decisive American victory in the Southern Campaign, where Continental forces under Daniel Morgan defeated British troops led by Banastre Tarleton.