1. The Battle of Yorktown

2. Background Information ●Setting: 1781 in Virginia ●General George Washington lead 17,000 French and Continental troops and engaged British General Lord Charles Cornwallis (leading 9,000 troops)

3. How It Went Down ● A French fleet departed St. Domingue for the Chesapeake Bay at the same time that Cornwallis had chosen the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay for his base. o Upon the encounter, George Washington ordered Marquis de Lafayette and 5,000 American troops to block the British army from escaping on land, while the French Navy surrounded them and formed an aquatic blockade on the water. ● After 3 weeks of non-stop fighting and bombardment with the use of heavy cannons and artillery, Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington on October 17, 1781.

4. End Results ● The fighting at Yorktown cost the allies 72 killed and 180 wounded. British losses were higher and included 156 killed, 326 wounded. In addition, Cornwallis' remaining 7,000 men were taken prisoner. ● This patriot victory at Yorktown effectively ended the war for America’s independence and all domestic fighting on American territories.

5. Historical Significance and Outcome ● Peace Negotiations began in 1782, and the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783 ● This formally recognized the United States as a free and independent nation after eight years of war.

6. Works Cited http://f.tqn.com/y/militaryhistory/1/L/O/N/-/-/battle-of-yorktown-large.jpg http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-yorktown.htm http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/americanrevolutio1/p/yorktown.htm https://thestoryofliberty.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/general_george_washington.jpg http://www.americanartshow.com/Large%20Prints/Werner%20Willis/General%20Charles.JPG http://ourfoundingdocuments.com/article_images/treaty_of_paris_full.jpg