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North Carolina in the Revolution
The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge
First battle of the American Revolution in North Carolina
The battle was fought to prevent Loyalists from meeting with the British
Patriots greased the bridge and surprised Loyalist while trying to cross
Loyalist lost 50 men and Patriots lost only 1
Importance of the Battle
It was known as the “Lexington and Concord of the South”
It helped prevent the British from gaining control over the South
It encouraged NC to seek independence
The Halifax Resolves
Six weeks after Moores Creek BridgePatriots met at Halifax on April 12, 1776 they adopted the Halifax ResolvesThese were formal statements that made the first call for independence from BritianAfter the Halifax Resolves were adopted in North Carolina the Declaration of Independence was drafted
Mecklenburg ResolvesOn May 20, 1775 colonist met in Mecklenburg CountyThey stated that British laws were no longer in effectThe resolves created an independent government for Meck. County
War in North Carolina
After 3 years of fighting British planned to move South
Lord Cornwallis planned to take NC and VA
When Cornwallis headed toward Charlotte North Carolina’s fighting militias slowed him down
He sent Patrick Ferguson to get Loyalist support in Western North Carolina
Kings Mountain
Ferguson was chased to the top of Kings Mountain
American victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain forced British to give up their plan of taking over North Carolina
Cornwallis returned to South Carolina, calling the area around Charlotte the “hornets nest”
Guilford Court House
Last significant battle in North Carolina
Nathanael Greene caught up with British troops
Although British held the field, they lost one quarter of their men and many of their best officers
Cornwallis was left with a weakened army
North Carolina Civil War
After the Battle of Guilford Court House, Civil War between Loyalists and Patriots
People began robbing and burning down houses
All armies had left North Carolina
David Fanning was one leader of Loyalist who captured Patriots and refused to surrender even when the war was over
Many Loyalists were exiled after the British surrender
State of Franklin
1784 residents of NC’s western region formed their own independent state
They named it in honor of Benjamin Franklin
North Carolina had offered this land to federal government but NC took back offer and discouraged the creation of a new state by threatening to use force against state of Franklin
State of Franklin ended in 1788