Final answer:
The British shifted their attention to the Middle Colonies for multiple reasons: to weaken the revolutionaries by capturing the capital, to defend against Canadian troops, and to weaken the New England colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British shifted their attention to the Middle Colonies during the American Revolution for multiple reasons.
Firstly, they hoped to capture the capital of the rebellion, cut off supplies, and destroy the Continental army, thus weakening the revolutionaries. Secondly, they wanted to keep troops from Canada from invading the region.
Lastly, they aimed to split the New England colonies away from the other colonies to weaken them.
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