COMPARISONS TO HISTORY

Guerrilla Warfare

• The militia in the southern colonies utilized this new type of warfare.
• It counteracted the size of the British army.
• In the movie, Benjamin Martin gathers a militia in the South.
• They harassed the British under Lord Cornwallis with surprise attacks.
• It was a great example of guerrilla warfare in the South.

Gentleman's Warfare

• The British were famous for their use of "Gentleman's warfare".
• This was a type of war where two armies would line up across from each other.
• Then they took turns taking shots at each other.
• In the movie, all of the huge battles showed this type of fighting.
• The battles in the movie showed how much better the British were at this.

SLAVERY

• Slaves were released by both sides if they served in the armies.
• In the movie, we see a slave, Occam, serve with the militia under Ben Martin.
• The announcement comes out that slaves will be freed after 12 months of service
• Occam serves his 12 months, and is freed from his slavery.
• This is consistent with what we learned.

BATTLE OF COWPENS/GUILFORD COURT

• The final scene of the movie basically depicts the battle Cowpens, but is not consistent.
• This scene also has components similar to the battle of Guilford Court
• In reality, Lord Cornwallis was not present at the battle of Cowpens.
• He was present at Guilford Court, however, and won that conflict.
• This battle in the movie was won by the Patriots, which make it seem more like Battle of Cowpens.

CHARACTERS

BENJAMIN MARTIN

• This character is a combination of 4 historical figures
• Francis Marion-a militia leader in the Carolinas
• Elijah Clarke-a militia leader in Georgia and Carolinas
• Daniel Morgan-Continental leader that suggested to use militia as decoy
• Andrew Pickens-militia leader with a strict religious background

William Tavington

• Based on British Lt.Colonel Banastre Tarleton
• Some similarities, battled with militia in the South
• Unlike the movie, he never died and was on good terms with Cornwallis
• He did believe in total war, but not an extremist like shown in the movie.

Lord Cornwallis

• British General in command in the Southern Colonies
• Representedwell in the movie, but not 100% accurate.
• Cornwallis was not at the Battle of Cowpens, as shown in the movie.
• He was present at the Battle of Guilford Court, and won that battle.

The End