Final answer:
The American strategy during the Revolutionary War evolved from avoidance of risky engagements to the Southern Strategy focusing on attrition and guerilla tactics. Key battles include the American victory at Saratoga, the loss at Charleston, and the conclusive victory at Yorktown, which showcased American adaptability and resulted in independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American strategy during the Revolutionary War initially centered on surviving against the better-equipped British forces. Key early principles included avoiding decisive battles that could risk the entire army, extending the supply lines of the British forces, and rallying public support for the independence cause. One significant change in strategy occurred when the Americans shifted their focus to the South with the Southern Strategy, entailing a combination of attrition and guerilla tactics that targeted British and Loyalist forces to slowly erode their control over the region.
Three crucial battles in the War that highlight stages of the American strategy are: the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, which ended in a decisive American victory and was instrumental in securing French support; the Battle of Charleston in 1780, a major loss for the Americans leading to the capture of their forces; and the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which concluded with the surrender of British General Cornwallis's army, effectively ending the war in American victory.
The outcomes of these battles were pivotal to the duration and conclusion of the war. They demonstrated the evolving tactics of General George Washington and the Continental Army, from utilizing strategic retreats and hit-and-run tactics to the eventual decisive engagement with aid from French allies at Yorktown. This innovative and adaptive approach ultimately led to the success of the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation.