Expanding on History – North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia

Today’s post will take a look at the final three colonies of the revolution: North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. But this isn’t the end, there will be one more post all about England and some links to where you can read further if you really want to put your role front and center during the game.

Despite North Carolina governor Josiah Martin’s opposition to separation, North Carolina was squarely in the rebellion column from the start. After Massachusetts was punished for the Boston Tea Party, North Carolina citizens sent food and other supplies to help. The Catawba, Tuscarora and Coharie Indians of southern North Carolina agreed to fight with the Americans, but the Cherokees remained hostile to the colonies throughout the Revolutionary War. Many battles were fought in North Carolina during the wars southern campaign, including a ferocious battle at Guilford Courthouse. Cornwallis’s proclaimed victory came at the expense of such high casualties that many at home questioned the good news.

Detail of a 1780 map drawn by a British engineer showing the Charleston defenses

Though South Carolina would inevitably face more battles than any other state would during the American Revolution, it was not overwhelmingly dedicated to the notion of American freedom. South Carolina was a southern colony that depended on Britain for protection from Indians as well as revenue from trading the staple crops that supported their economy. Though its loyalties were never stable, South Carolina played a key role in fighting, and eventually winning, the American Revolution. After the successful siege of Charleston in 1780, the British established control of the East coast. Further invigorating their troops, the Crown offered slaves in America freedom if they enlisted in favor of Britain, and about one-quarter of South Carolina’s slaves readily accepted this offer.

Siege of Savannah

Though Georgians opposed British trade regulations, many hesitated to join the revolutionary movement that emerged in the American colonies. The colony had prospered under royal rule, and many Georgians thought that they needed the protection of British troops against a possible Indian attack. News of the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts caused many Georgians who were wavering in their allegiance to move to the side of rebellion. Georgia was not the site of significant military action in the early stages of the war, but in late 1778, British forces captured Savannah. Efforts were made the following year to retake the city with French naval assistance; this assault failed and was very costly to the Americans. Bitter guerilla-style fighting continued for years. The British maintained their grip on Georgia and held all of the major towns until well after the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.

Will you allow your business interests to keep you loyal to the King or will you come to the aid of your fellow colonies?  You can make that decision and more by joining us on December 3rd for The World Turns Upside Down.

You can make those decisions and more by joining us on December 3rd for The World Turns Upside Down – Tickets are on sale now! Do not throw away your shot…