Name _________________________________________ Date _______________ Period ___________
Chapter 7 Section 3 Reading Guide KEY (30 points)
1. Why did the British shift the war to the South? (2 points)
After three years of fighting in the North, the British were no closer to victory and they didn’t have
enough troops to control the countryside.
In addition, the British believed that most Southerners were loyalists and they expected Southern
slaves to escape and join them.
2. Why was the Battle of Charles Town the “worst defeat of the war”? (1 point)
Americans lost almost their entire Southern Army.
3. Why was General Horatio Gates, the hero of Saratoga, replaced as head of the Southern Army? (2
points)
At the battle of Camden (against Lord Cornwallis) he put inexperienced militia on the frontline…and
when the British attacked, they ran… and Gates also fled the battle.
4. Why was the countryside a “dangerous place” for the British army? (1 point)
The countryside was hostile and filled with more rebel sympathizers than Loyalists.
Rebel guerrillas repeatedly attacked British messengers, cutting them off from their bases on the
coast.
5. Why was Francis Marion known as “the Swamp Fox”? (1 point)
He led cunning attacks from his base in the swamps.
6. Who did Washington put in charge of the Southern Army? Why? (2 points)
Nathanael Greene, because he was his best and most trusted General
7. Why was the American victory at the Battle of Cowpens significant? (1 point)
It proved that the Americans has mastered the formal battle tactics of the British.
8. What was General Greene’s strategy in the South? (1 point)
Stay one step ahead of the British and try to make sure the British suffered heavy losses.
9. How was the battle of Guilford Courthouse like the Battle of Bunker Hill? (2 points)
The British won the battle, but suffered heavy losses.
10. Why did Cornwallis withdraw to Virginia and set up his base at Yorktown? (1 point)
He believed that southern rebels were relying on Virginia for their supplies. He set up at Yorktown so
that he could receive supplies by ship from New York.
11. Why was setting up his base at Yorktown a fatal mistake for Cornwallis? (1)
Washington (with the help of the French) were able to trap Cornwallis on the peninsula where
Yorktown is located.
12. Look at the map on page 216. What routes did American forces take to reach Yorktown? (1)
They came down the coast of NY and NJ, and then came by boat through the Chesapeake Bay.
13. How did the Americans (and their allies, force the British to surrender? What was the date? (2)
They surrounded them and captured British redoubts (small forts). They brought their artillery
closer to the town’s defenses and began bombarding Yorktown. They surrendered October 19, 1781.
14. When did the last British troops leave New York City? How long did the war last? (2 points)
Late in 1783… the war lasted 8 years.
15. Look at the chart on page 218. What were the factors that help to explain how the Americans were
able to defeat the British? Which do you think was the most important? Why? (10 points)
Motivation, popular support, leadership, foreign allies, communication and supplies, troop strength
*answers will vary