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