The Southern Strategy during the American Revolutionary War aimed to rally Loyalist support in the South and use the region's resources to turn the tide against the Continental Army. In Charleston, the effectiveness of this strategy is significantly marked by the British capture of the city in 1780.
The most notable consequence of the Southern Strategy in Charleston was that Charleston was seized by the British, and approximately 5,000 American troops surrendered. This was one of the most significant American defeats of the war, and it resulted in a major blow to American morale and military capability. The fall of Charleston also provided the British with a critical base from which they could operate in the Southern colonies.
While there were instances of Charleston militia forces attacking British supply lines and attempting to defend their territory, these efforts were ultimately overwhelmed by the superior British forces. The initial capture of Charleston highlighted the challenges faced by the Continental Army in sustaining momentum and support in the Southern front despite occasional successes in skirmishes.
Ultimately, while the Southern Strategy aimed to strengthen the British position in the South through gaining control over Charleston, the immediate outcome was a significant loss for the American forces. Thus, the effectiveness of the Southern Strategy in this context can be viewed as largely successful for the British, leading to their temporary dominance in the region. However, it also galvanized American efforts for eventual uprisings and strategies that would lead to subsequent victories in the later stages of the war.