The Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War is the central area of operations in North America in the second half of the American Revolutionary War.

During the first three years of the conflict, the largest military encounters are in the north, focused on campaigns around the cities of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

After the failure of the Saratoga campaign, the British largely abandons operations in the Middle Colonies and pursues peace through subjugation in the Southern Colonies.

Before 1778, the southern colonies are largely dominated by Patriot-controlled governments and militias, although there is also a Continental Army presence that plays a role in the defense of Charleston in 1776, suppression of Loyalist militias, and attempts to drive the British from strongly Loyalist East Florida.

The British "southern strategy" commences in late 1778 with the capture of Savannah, Georgia, which is followed in 1780 by operations in South Carolina that include the defeat of two Continental Armies at Charleston and Camden.

General Nathanael Greene, who takes over as Continental Army commander after Camden, engages in a strategy of avoidance and attrition against the British.

The two forces fight a string of battles, most of which are tactical victories for the British

In almost all cases, however, the "victories" strategically weaken the British army by the high cost in casualties, while leaving the Continental Army intact to continue fighting.

This is best exemplified by the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

Several American victories, such as the Battle of Ramseur's Mill, the Battle of Cowpens, and the Battle of Kings Mountain, also serve to weaken the overall British military strength.

The culminating engagement, the Siege of Yorktown, ends with the British army's surrender.

It essentially marks the end of British power in the Colonies.