The American Revolution Chapter 7 The Path to Victory Section 3 (B)
Cornwallis’ Mistake British Gen. Cornwallis believed Virginia was supplying the southern rebels. In 1781, without orders, he marched north into Virginia. He set up his base at Yorktown so he could receive supplies (by ship) from New York.
Setting A Trap Cornwallis’s actions gave Washington a chance to trap the British. The French fleet blocked the Chesapeake Bay which 1) prevented supplies from reaching Yorktown and 2) prevented the British from escaping.
No Way Out American and French cannons bombarded Yorktown With the port blocked, the British had no way out. In October, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his force of 8,000 British soldiers.
It’s All Over Fighting continued in the south and on the frontier, but Yorktown was the last major battle of the war. British leaders were forced to resign and the new leaders began to negotiate a peace treaty.
About the Armies The American army lacked training and experience. They often lacked proper supplies and weapons The British forces were the best trained in the world.
So, How Did We Do It? The Americans were persistent American civilians also kept the resistance alive. Even if Britain could defeat the army, they likely could not conquer the American people’s spirit.
Compare and Contrast America Britain Fought for rights and ideals (freedom) Many civilians supported revolution Washington inspired loyalty & patriotism Had allies – France, Spain and the Dutch Britain Fought for pay rather than principles Not all British people supported the war Was overconfident and disunited They were fighting many enemies
More Comparing & Contrasting American Supplies were close at hand State militias supplied 250,000 soldiers Britain Transported supplies over 3,000 miles The British army had about 54,000 troops
Fond Farewell In late 1783 the last British ships and troops left New York Washington wrote that the victory was “little short of a miracle.” Both the British and the Americans were astonished that America won.