Question

Which of the following are reasons that the British may have decided Savannah was a good target for them to recapture? They wanted to control the port to eliminate Patriot access to trade; Loyalists support was stronger in Georgia than other colonies; Savannah had become the capital of the 13 Colonies; they thought they would find gold in Savannah

Answer 1

The British decision to target Savannah for recapture during the American Revolutionary War could be attributed to the following reasons:

1. They wanted to control the port to eliminate Patriot access to trade: This is a valid reason. Savannah's strategic location as a port city made it crucial for trade and supply routes. By controlling Savannah, the British aimed to cut off the Patriots' access to vital supplies and trade.

2. Loyalists support was stronger in Georgia than other colonies: This is also a reason that could have influenced the British decision. Georgia had a significant population of Loyalists, and the British believed that reinforcing their presence there could help consolidate Loyalist support.

The other two options are less accurate:

3. Savannah had become the capital of the 13 Colonies: This is not true. Savannah was not the capital of the 13 Colonies; it was the capital of the Province of Georgia.

4. They thought they would find gold in Savannah: There is no historical evidence to suggest that the British believed they would find gold in Savannah. This reason is not credible.

In summary, the first two options are valid reasons for the British targeting Savannah.