Battle of YorktownBattle of Yorktown

October 19, 1781October 19, 1781

The Plot The Plot (and more)(and more)

In August 1781, after more than a year In August 1781, after more than a year of “hit and run” style fighting, the of “hit and run” style fighting, the Patriots in the south push British Patriots in the south push British General Cornwallis to Yorktown to try to General Cornwallis to Yorktown to try to regroup and get supplies. regroup and get supplies.

Cornwallis did not expect American Cornwallis did not expect American troops to get help. troops to get help.

The French ships blocked the harbor The French ships blocked the harbor while Washington’s army swept in on while Washington’s army swept in on land, cornering the British troops on the land, cornering the British troops on the peninsula in Yorktown. peninsula in Yorktown.

The British surrender...The British surrender...

The Plot ContinuedThe Plot Continued

Cornwallis is trapped on the Peninsula Cornwallis is trapped on the Peninsula in Yorktown by the French Navy in in Yorktown by the French Navy in Chesapeake Bay and the American Chesapeake Bay and the American and French troops coming by land. and French troops coming by land.

The British fight and then 7000 British The British fight and then 7000 British soldiers surrender to Washington’s soldiers surrender to Washington’s army.army.

Americans won the warAmericans won the war British gave unconditional surrenderBritish gave unconditional surrender

Key People and GroupsKey People and Groups

Gen. Jean de Rochembeau-French Gen. Jean de Rochembeau-French general who led 7000 troops from New general who led 7000 troops from New York to help the Americans York to help the Americans

Gen. Washington- led the Continental Gen. Washington- led the Continental troops from North to Yorktown for final troops from North to Yorktown for final defeat of the British.defeat of the British.

Admiral De Grasse-French Admiral who Admiral De Grasse-French Admiral who led 29 war ships into the Chesapeake led 29 war ships into the Chesapeake Bay to help Americans and block Bay to help Americans and block British supply shipsBritish supply ships

Key People ContinuedKey People Continued

Gen. Cornwallis –British general who led Gen. Cornwallis –British general who led troops through the south to stop Patriots troops through the south to stop Patriots by getting the help of slaves and by getting the help of slaves and Loyalists.Loyalists.

Gen. Lincoln- American general who Gen. Lincoln- American general who accepted the sword of surrender on accepted the sword of surrender on behalf of Washingtonbehalf of Washington

Gen. O’Hara – who gave sword of Gen. O’Hara – who gave sword of surrender to end fighting with the surrender to end fighting with the AmericansAmericans

Historical Historical Importance/SignificancImportance/Significancee Last battle of the revolutionLast battle of the revolution British gave a ceremonial British gave a ceremonial

surrender with a sword surrender with a sword British professional army was British professional army was

bitterly humiliated by bitterly humiliated by Washington’s “Rag-Tag” army of Washington’s “Rag-Tag” army of volunteers. volunteers.

OutcomeOutcome

Cornwallis is trapped, siege lasts Cornwallis is trapped, siege lasts over a month, defending over a month, defending fortifications, ammo & supplies fortifications, ammo & supplies run low, evacuation attempt failsrun low, evacuation attempt fails

Unconditional surrender on Oct Unconditional surrender on Oct 19, 178119, 1781