Which two southern cities were captured by the British?

The two southern cities captured by the British during the American Revolutionary War were Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. These captures represented important military successes for the British forces in the Southern theater of the war.

British Southern Campaign Successes

During the American Revolutionary War, the British shifted their focus to the Southern colonies in a phase that began in late 1778. They aimed to capitalize on perceived loyalist support and control key port cities to disrupt the American war effort. Their strategy yielded significant early victories in the South.

Capture of Savannah, Georgia

The first major British success in the South was the occupation of Savannah, Georgia, in late 1778. This strategic port city provided the British with a valuable foothold in the Southern colonies, serving as a base of operations for further advancements. The capture of Savannah marked the beginning of the British push into the region.

Capture of Charleston, South Carolina

Following their success in Georgia, the British moved northward and captured Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1779. The fall of Charleston was a significant blow to the American cause, as it was a major port and one of the largest cities in the South. Its capture resulted in the surrender of a substantial portion of the Continental Army in the South, along with valuable supplies and military assets.

These two captures were critical points in the Southern campaign, demonstrating the British ability to seize and hold important urban centers.

Summary of British Captures

The table below summarizes the two key southern cities captured by the British:

These occupations allowed the British to establish a strong presence and consolidate control over parts of the Southern colonies, although their ultimate goals in the region were not achieved.