Question

Why did Britain change its strategy to focus on the Southern colonies in the summer of 1778?

Answer 1

As a result, the British changed their strategy yet again in 1778. Rather than mounting a full-scale military campaign against the Continental Army, the British decided to focus their efforts on the loyalists, who they still believed were the majority of the American population.

Answer 2

Answer:

The French allied with the colonials, and the British believe they had supporters in the south.

Explanation:

The French signed a treaty with the colonials in 1778 which forced the British to rethink their tactics.  They were now having to fight both the newly formed Americans and the French.  The British falsely believed they had more colonial supporters in the south, so began to focus their efforts there in attempt to subvert the French involvement.  This lead to the colonials fighting the British in the south with guerrilla warfare tactics instead of proper field combat, as the British were use to.  For America, the French helped a ton when they joined the war (Thanks Benjamin Franklin).