The Final Years Learning Objective: Identify what helped the Patriots win independence

Battle of Yorktown  American and French troops bombard Yorktown with cannon fire.  Cornwallis is trapped  October 19, 1781 – Cornwallis surrenders

 Last major battle of the war  British leaders are forced to resign  New leaders begin to negotiate a peace treaty - Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams represent US  Treat of Paris signed September 3, 1783

Treaty of Paris  Agreement between US and Britain to end the war  Great Britain recognized the US as an independent nation  Promised to remove all troops from American territory  Gave Americans fishing rights off the coast of Canada

Conspiracy Against Congress  Army is not disbanded until peace treaty is signed  Soldiers angry about not being paid threatened force against Congress  Washington asks soldiers to be patient and urges Congress to meet their demands to protect the new nation  Congress agreed

Washington  November, 1783 – last British troops leave New York City  December 4 – Washington says good-bye to his troops  Formally resigns his position and returns home to Mount Vernon, Virginia

Why Americans Won  Knew the land, help from other countries  Victory depended on the determination and spirit of all Patriots

Summary  Why did Washington keep his plan to march south to Virginia a secret?  Why did Cornwallis choose to surrender at Yorktown?  What was the Treaty of Paris? Activity suggestions: illustrate the battle at Yorktown; create an announcement declaring the end of the war; show resigning at Congress