The British Southern Strategy in the American Revolution, 1775-1782

Abstract

The British southern strategy was not a side-show or afterthought in the world war that began as the American Revolution (1775-1783), but a part of the planning efforts from the earliest days of the war. Implementation of this strategy continued for more than two years after Cornwallis’ famous surrender at Yorktown, which resulted from the failure of the southern strategy. This article argues for a new assessment of the war within this context, while examining the importance and ultimate failure of these campaigns.