Which of the following are reasons that the British may have decided Savannah was a good target for them to recapture (select two)?
They thought they would find gold in Savannah
They wanted to control the port to eliminate Patriot access to trade
Loyalist support was stronger in Georgia than other colonies
Savannah had become the capital of the 13 colonies.
They wanted to control the port to eliminate Patriot access to trade
Loyalist support was stronger in Georgia than other colonies
The reasons that the British may have decided Savannah was a good target for them to recapture are:
1. They wanted to control the port to eliminate Patriot access to trade.
2. Loyalist support was stronger in Georgia than other colonies.
To determine which of the following reasons the British may have had to recapture Savannah, we need to carefully consider the information given in each statement:
1. They thought they would find gold in Savannah: To evaluate this claim, we need to assess whether there is any historical evidence supporting this reason. While Savannah has had economic significance throughout history, there is no prominent evidence suggesting that the British intended to recapture it specifically in search of gold. Therefore, we can eliminate this as a potential reason.
2. They wanted to control the port to eliminate Patriot access to trade: This reason seems plausible and aligns with the strategic importance of controlling key trading routes during times of war. To verify this, we can study historical accounts from the American Revolution and examine the British strategy in terms of capturing and establishing control over key ports. If evidence supports this claim, we can consider it a valid reason.
3. Loyalist support was stronger in Georgia than other colonies: This statement suggests that the British may have chosen Savannah as a target due to the higher level of support from loyalists residing in Georgia. To determine the accuracy of this claim, we need to examine historical data on loyalist sentiments and support levels in Georgia during the American Revolution. If there is evidence to support this claim, it can be considered a valid reason.
4. Savannah had become the capital of the 13 colonies: While the fact that Savannah was the capital of the 13 colonies may have some significance, it is not necessarily a reason for the British to recapture it. The decision to target a specific location is more likely driven by strategic considerations, military advantages, and control over key resources or trade routes. Therefore, we can likely eliminate this as a valid reason.
Based on the analysis above, the two potential reasons that the British may have had for recapturing Savannah are:
- They wanted to control the port to eliminate Patriot access to trade.
- Loyalist support was stronger in Georgia than other colonies.