The Final Years Chapter 4 Lesson 4 Victory

The Final Years Chapter 4, Lesson #4

Victory at Yorktown While the British were still in the south… … July, 1780: • French warships arrive in the Americas • 1, 000 s of French soldiers • Led by Comte de Rochambeau • French joined forces with Washington • Originally planned to attacked NYC, but another opportunity came along…

Washington Leaves for Virginia • Earlier, Washington had sent troops south with Lafayette. • British were pinned at a place called Yorktown, VA. • Washington decided to secretly move his troops 200 miles (15 days) south. • Most soldiers did not know where they were going. • British expected attack on NY, but found out too late.

A Trap at Yorktown • British expected to get picked up by Navy • September 1781: • 14, 000 US and French troops arrived with only 8, 000 British troops. • But wait… a second French fleet showed up and blocked the harbor! • British couldn’t escape from the sea! • British supply and escape routes were totally cut off!

Victory over Cornwallis • Americans and French attacked British • British began to run low on supplies – many were wounded. • October 14, Alexander Hamilton leads an attack and captures British defenses. • October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrenders! • Americans capture 8, 000 British and Hessian troops and 200 cannons. • During surrender ceremony, a French band played “Yankee Doodle” – a song the British made to make fun of Americans.

Independence Achieved • The British still held NY, Savannah, and Charles Town. • Other smaller battles occurred • Because of Yorktown, the British realized that the war would not end soon and be too costly. • American and British delegates met in Paris to talk about peace. • On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed • British officially recognized United States independence! • British troops were removed from American soil

A Conspiracy Against Congress • While the treaty was being signed, Washington camped his troops outside of Newburgh, NY. • Many soldiers were owed money and many threatened to use force to get it. • Washington stepped in: • Convinced soldiers to be patient • Convinced Congress to pay up Washington leads troops into New York City • Washington’s leadership saved country before it even got started!

Washington Returns Home November, 1783, after all British troops had left: • Washington disbanded the army. • Said farewell to troops and all went home. • Washington stood before Congress and said: "Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire. . . and take my leave of all the employments of public life. " • Washington left for his home in Mount Vernon, VA to lead a quiet life… … until a few years later.

Why the Americans Won How the heck did the Americans defeat the powerful British? • Fought on their own land • Experts at guerilla warfare • Help from other nations • THE AMERICAN PEOPLE! *Our revolution inspired others: • French Revolution • Slave Revolutions (Haiti) • Ideas of freedom and equality spread throughout the world!