Yorktown Flashcards
(4 cards)
1
Q
When was Yorktown
A
1781
2
Q
describe what happened at Yorktown
A
- Cornwallis aimed to construct a naval base at Yorktown which could be supplied by the Royal Navy
- Washington learned that a French fleet headed by de Grasse was on its way
- persuaded by rochambeau to target Cornwallis, not New York
- the combined franco American forces of 16000 strong reached Virginia and confronted Cornwallis
- Cornwallis was thus trapped on the Yorktown peninsula
- the delay in dispatching relief for Cornwallis sealed his fate
- 19th October, surrounded by french-American forces and with no route of escape, Cornwallis surrendered
3
Q
Results of Yorktown
A
- most significant battle of the American war as it marked the decisive and final major victory for American and french forces
- after Cornwallis’ surrender, the British government discontinued defensive operations in America and formally began peace negotiations
- the wars culminating engagement broke British political will to continue, leading to the 1783 treaty of Paris
4
Q
Terms of the treaty of Paris
A
- Britain recognised americas independence
- boundaries of the USA should extend to Mississippi, st Lawrence river and the Great Lakes
- Britain ceded Florida to Spain
