The American The American RevolutionRevolutionChapter 7Chapter 7

The Path to VictoryThe Path to Victory

Section 3 (B)Section 3 (B)

Cornwallis’ MistakeCornwallis’ Mistake

►British Gen. Cornwallis believed Virginia British Gen. Cornwallis believed Virginia was supplying the southern rebels.was supplying the southern rebels.

► In 1781, without orders, he marched In 1781, without orders, he marched north into Virginia.north into Virginia.

►He set up his base at Yorktown so he He set up his base at Yorktown so he could receive supplies (by ship) from could receive supplies (by ship) from New York.New York.

Setting A TrapSetting A Trap

►Cornwallis’s actions gave Washington Cornwallis’s actions gave Washington a chance to trap the British.a chance to trap the British.

►The French fleet blocked the The French fleet blocked the Chesapeake Bay which 1) prevented Chesapeake Bay which 1) prevented supplies from reaching Yorktown and supplies from reaching Yorktown and 2) prevented the British from 2) prevented the British from escaping. escaping.

No Way OutNo Way Out

►American and French cannons American and French cannons bombarded Yorktownbombarded Yorktown

►With the port blocked, the British had no With the port blocked, the British had no way out.way out.

► In October, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered In October, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his force of 8,000 British soldiers. his force of 8,000 British soldiers.

It’s All OverIt’s All Over

►Fighting continued in the south and on Fighting continued in the south and on the frontier, but Yorktown was the last the frontier, but Yorktown was the last major battle of the war. major battle of the war.

►British leaders were forced to resign British leaders were forced to resign and the new leaders began to and the new leaders began to negotiate a peace treaty.negotiate a peace treaty.

About the ArmiesAbout the Armies

►The American army lacked training The American army lacked training and experience.and experience.

►They often lacked proper supplies and They often lacked proper supplies and weaponsweapons

►The British forces were the best The British forces were the best trained in the world.trained in the world.

So, How Did We Do It?So, How Did We Do It?

►The Americans were persistentThe Americans were persistent

►American civilians also kept the American civilians also kept the resistance alive.resistance alive.

►Even if Britain could defeat the army, Even if Britain could defeat the army, they likely could not conquer the they likely could not conquer the American people’s spirit.American people’s spirit.

Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast

► AmericaAmerica

► Fought for rights and Fought for rights and ideals (freedom)ideals (freedom)

► Many civilians Many civilians supported revolutionsupported revolution

► Washington inspired Washington inspired loyalty & patriotismloyalty & patriotism

► Had allies – France, Had allies – France, Spain and the DutchSpain and the Dutch

► BritainBritain

► Fought for pay rather Fought for pay rather than principlesthan principles

► Not all British people Not all British people supported the warsupported the war

► Was overconfident and Was overconfident and disuniteddisunited

► They were fighting They were fighting many enemiesmany enemies

More Comparing & More Comparing & ContrastingContrasting

► AmericanAmerican

► Supplies were close Supplies were close at handat hand

► State militias State militias supplied 250,000 supplied 250,000 soldierssoldiers

► BritainBritain

► Transported Transported supplies over 3,000 supplies over 3,000 milesmiles

► The British army The British army had about 54,000 had about 54,000 troopstroops

Fond FarewellFond Farewell

► In late 1783 the last British ships and In late 1783 the last British ships and troops left New Yorktroops left New York

►Washington wrote that the victory was Washington wrote that the victory was “little short of a miracle.”“little short of a miracle.”

►Both the British and the Americans Both the British and the Americans were astonished that America won.were astonished that America won.