1. 6.4 The Final Years

2. The French Join the Fight  In July of 1780, French warships brought thousands of soldiers commanded by Comto de Rochambeau  Rochambeau joined up with General Washington to attack Yorktown, VA

3. Yorktown  Washington and his French allies defeated General Cornwallis at Yorktown Virginia  American and French forces begain a siege of Yorktown  Siege- blocked off supply and escape routes  This defeat was significant in that:  It convinced the British that the war was too costly to continue to fight

4. The Treaty of Paris 1783  Great Britain and America signed a peace treaty called the “Treaty of Paris”  Ratified (approved) in 1783  Years of war: 1776-1783

5. Terms of the Treaty of Paris 1783  Terms  GB recognized US as an independent nation  GB promised to withdraw troops from Am territory  GB gave US fishing rights to Canadian waters  US promised to pay British merchants what they owed  US promised to return property to loyalists

6. Why Britain Lost  American advantages:  Fought on their own land  Britain supply line too long and slow  Used guerilla tactics (hit and run)  French and Spanish help  Popular movement (fighting spirit)  Conditions for patriot victory more achievable than Britain’s conditions of victory

7. Tactics  British vs Colonial Tactics  British- fought a conventional war  Colonists- waged a “hybrid war”  Sometimes used guerilla tactics ( ambushes- surprise attacks)  Used to weaken and demoralize British before larger, more decisive battles  Also fought conventionally at times

8. Conspiracy against Congress  Time in between end of fighting and the signing of the peace treaty, Washington’s army went unpaid.  Soldiers threatened a revolt.  Washington kept the soldiers patient, and appealed to congress to pay the soldiers.  What did this show about Washington?

9. Washington’s Farewell  December 4 th 1783, Washington says goodbye to his troops at a pub in NYC  Washington returns to Mt. Vernon, VA where he planned to live out his days quietly in retirement.  That did not happen however