1763–1781 - American Revolution

British Southern Strategy (1778–1781) — Overview, Facts, History

The British Southern Strategy was a military plan during the American Revolutionary War that shifted focus to the Southern Colonies after failures in the North and fears of French intervention. British leaders wrongly believed Loyalist support would secure control of Georgia and the Carolinas, but harsh British actions, strong Patriot resistance, and major defeats at Kings Mountain and Cowpens undermined their efforts. The strategy collapsed with Cornwallis’s retreat to Virginia and surrender at Yorktown, contributing directly to American independence.