French Diplomacy

When Thomas Jefferson succeeded Franklin in 1785, French Foreign Minister Vergennes asked: “It is you who replace Dr. Franklin?” Jefferson replied, “No one can replace him, Sir; I am only his successor.”

Battle of Yorktown

Strategy The South became the focal point of the war in 1778. At first, Lord Cornwallis planned to take the Carolinas. But he changed his mind and planned to conquer Virginia and cut off American supply routes to the South.

Benedict Arnold = Traitor

Benedict Arnold The reason the British were able to be successful in Virginia because of Benedict Arnold. Arnold felt he was not receiving enough credit for his American victories. WEST POINT

Battle at Yorktown American troops under Lafayette staged raids and held Cornwallis in the South. Cornwallis made a mistake. Instead of sending part of his army to north he brought them to Yorktown Peninsula. Washington saw the opportunity to trap Cornwallis on the Peninsula. Also, a French fleet under Admiral de Grasse headed toward VA to cut off Cornwallis’s supplies.

Battle of Yorktown

The Surrender at Yorktown October 17,1781, the British surrendered their weapons.

Story Time

The Treaty of Paris 1783

Peace At Last Peace talks begin in Paris in 1782 Representatives from five nations: United States Great Britain France Spain The Netherlands

The Players Each nation had their own interests: Britain: France: Avoid giving Americans full independence Protect Loyalists still remaining in America France: America should not become a major power Spain: Interested in acquiring land

In London, the defeat shocked the British. Peace talks began in Paris in 1782. Congress sent Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, and Henry Laurens to talk. They set up the Treaty of Paris of 1783 The British recognized the United States as an independent nation (extended from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes down to Florida) Florida was returned to Spain.

Why the Americans Won Geography Foreign Help Growing Patriotism The British had to send soldiers and supplies thousands of miles away from home, and Americans were familiar with the terrain , used tactics to their advantage- hit and run Foreign Help The Spanish attacked along the Gulf of Mexico, French money helped pay for supplies and brought warships , Netherlands gave them loans Growing Patriotism Spirits were high after battle of Saratoga Got more recruits from the battle of Trenton Britain was only fighting to keep the colonies for money Strong Leadership George Washington had good battle plans Baron Von Steubon made the Patriots an army by drilling them Daniel Morgan, Nathanial Greene, Francis Marion- South