The Final Battle: Victory at Yorktown (1781)
The Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the decisive final battle of the American Revolution, where Washington’s combined American and French forces surrounded British General Cornwallis by land while the French navy blocked the coast, leaving the British no escape and forcing their surrender. This victory guaranteed American independence. This Grade 8 history topic from History Alive! Chapter 2 covers the conclusion of the Revolutionary War.
Key Concepts
In 1781, British General Lord Cornwallis positioned his army at Yorktown, Virginia. He expected the powerful British navy to supply and support his troops from the sea, believing his army was safe on the coast.
General Washington and his French allies saw a perfect opportunity. They marched their armies south to surround Yorktown by land, while the French navy sailed in to block the coast. The British fleet was defeated, leaving Cornwallis completely trapped.
Common Questions
What happened at the Battle of Yorktown?
At Yorktown in 1781, Washington’s American and French land forces surrounded the British army under Cornwallis while the French navy blocked the coast, trapping the British completely and forcing their surrender.
Why was Yorktown the last major battle of the Revolution?
Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown with approximately 8,000 troops was such a devastating loss that Britain was no longer willing to continue the costly war, leading to peace negotiations.
How did the French navy contribute to victory at Yorktown?
The French fleet defeated the British navy at the Battle of the Chesapeake, preventing British reinforcements and supplies from reaching Cornwallis, making the land siege possible and the British position hopeless.
When did Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown?
Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781, formally ending major combat operations in the American Revolution, though peace negotiations continued until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.