Why was yorktown important to the revolutionary war

Domingue the then-French colony that is now Haiti for the Chesapeake Bay, just as Cornwallis chose Yorktown, at the mouth of the Chesapeake, as his base. Washington realized that it was time to act. By September 28, Washington had completely encircled Cornwallis and Yorktown with the combined forces of Continental and French troops.

After three weeks of non-stop bombardment, both day and night, from artillery, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown on October 17, , effectively ending the War for Independence. Pleading illness, Cornwallis did not attend the formal surrender ceremony, held on October Although the war persisted on the high seas and in other theaters, including with Native American and British forces in the west , the Patriot victory at Yorktown ended fighting in the American colonies.

Peace negotiations began in , and on September 3, , the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally recognizing the United States as a free and independent nation after eight years of war. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! On September 28, , the cargo ship Venta Maersk docks in St. Petersburg, Russia, more than a month after departing from Vladivostok on the other side of the country.

The successful traversal of the Russian Arctic was a landmark moment for the international shipping industry, On September 28, , six years after he led the Cuban Revolution and four years after the failed U. With Cuban forces no longer blocking civilians from On the other side of the Atlantic, Britain was also waging a global war with France and Spain. The American conflict was unpopular and divisive, and there was no end in sight.

For the colonies, the long struggle for independence was leading to enormous debt, food shortages, and a lack of morale among the soldiers. Both sides were desperately seeking a definitive victory. General George Washington and his Continental Army had a decision to make in the spring of Washington and his French ally, Lt.

Comte de Rochambeau, bet on the south, where they were assured critical naval support from a French fleet commanded by Adm. Comte de Grasse. The Allied armies marched hundreds of miles from their headquarters north of New York City to Yorktown, making theirs the largest troop movement of the American Revolution. They surprised the British in a siege that turned the tide toward an American victory in the War for Independence. In the fall of , the British occupy Yorktown, where Cornwallis intends to refit and resupply his 9,man army.

While he awaits supplies and much-needed reinforcements from the Royal Navy, the Continental Army seizes an opportunity. On receiving word that the French fleet will be available for a siege south of New Jersey, Washington and Rochambeau move their force of almost 8, men south to Virginia, planning to join and lead about 12, other militia, French troops, and Continental troops in a siege of Yorktown. On September 5, while the Allied army is still on route, the French fleet guards the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay.

The Royal Navy, attempting to sail up the Bay to Cornwallis, is met by French warships at the mouth of the Chesapeake. September After a grueling march, the American and French forces arrive near Yorktown and immediately begin the hard work of laying siege to Cornwallis and his men. Cornwallis has thrown up a series of redoubts on the outskirts of Yorktown while the majority of his men hunker down in the town.

With the help of French engineers, American and French troops begin to dig a series of parallel trenches, which bring troops and artillery close enough to inflict damage on the British.

Feverishly working night and day, soldiers of the combined forces employ spades and axes to create a perimeter line of trenches that will trap the British. As the work on the parallels continues, the British attempt to disrupt Allied operations by using what little artillery they have left.

Their attempts prove futile. October 9. The Allied lines are now within musket range of the British and American and French artillery are in place. In the afternoon, the Allied barrage begins, with the French opening the salvo. On the American side, George Washington touches off the first cannon to commence their assault. His artillery consists of three pounders, three pounders, two 8-inch mm howitzers, and 6 mortars, totaling 14 guns. For nearly a week the artillery barrage is ceaseless, shattering whatever nerve the British have remaining and punching holes in British defenses.

October Washington orders troops to dig a second parallel yards closer to the British lines. British redoubts 9 and 10 prevent the second parallel from extending to the river and the British are still able to reinforce the garrisons inside the redoubts. They have to be taken by force.

The new line is in place by the morning of October On a moonless night, after firing incessant artillery to weaken British defenses, American and French forces prepare a surprise assault on redoubts 9 and The surrender of over 7, British troops on October 19, did not end the war. The end came in after Washington moved back to New York City, with the Peace of Paris signed by a British government installed largely as a result of Washington's victory.

Victory at Yorktown, however, brought Washington the increased political clout needed to avert a potential officers' rebellion at Newburgh, conduct the remainder of the war, and after a short retirement to Mount Vernon was the logical choice to oversee the Constitutional Convention and become the first President of the United States.

Notes: 1. Bibliography: Bartholomew, Benjamin. Marching to Victory: Capt. Lee Shepard. Ketchum, Richard M. New York: Henry Holt, Podcast Mount Vernon Everywhere!