The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge was the first battle of the American Revolution in North Carolina in 1776. The Patriots defeated the Loyalists, helping to prevent British control of the South and encouraging North Carolina's independence. Six weeks later, the Halifax Resolves formally called for independence from Britain. In 1775, the Mecklenburg Resolves declared that British laws were no longer in effect in Mecklenburg County and created an independent local government. After several years of fighting, the British were defeated at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780, forcing them to abandon their plan to take North Carolina.