Why did the British decide to focus on the Southern colonies in 1779? They were joined by the French on their side of the war. They had been forced out of the North. They hoped to divide the U.S. forces. They wanted to follow up on their victory at Saratoga.

Answer 1

In 1779, the British decision to shift their focus to the Southern colonies was influenced by several strategic considerations. One key factor was the recognition that the Northern colonies had become increasingly difficult to control after the loss at Saratoga in 1777, which had galvanized support for the American cause and led to increased French involvement on the side of the Americans.

The British believed that the Southern colonies would be more amenable to British rule due to the presence of loyalist support in that region. They hoped that by focusing their efforts in the South, they could rally loyalist sentiment, capture key cities, and potentially divide the Continental forces. The idea was that if the British could establish a stronghold in the South, they could then use that base to launch further operations and possibly negotiate a favorable peace.

The hope to divide American forces was also significant; by focusing on the South, the British aimed to distract and weaken the Continental Army, which was already stretched thin and faced logistical challenges. Thus, the combination of loyalist support, the need for a new front after the setbacks in the North, and the desire to exploit regional differences among the colonies shaped the British strategy in 1779.

While the French alliance with the Americans certainly complicated the British efforts, it did not deter their focus on the Southern strategy, which ultimately saw significant military campaigns in that region during the later years of the war.