The Battle of Yorktown: September 28-October 19, 1781
After 6 long years, the final battle of the American Revolution took place in Yorktown, Virginia. (Click on the resources below to learn more.)
- As you research the battle that ultimately led to victory for George Washington and the Continental Army over General Cornwallis and the British, create a T-chart in your Social Studies notebook to record the information you learn from the maps and websites.
- Label one side American/French and the other side British. Pay special attention to the maps that will help to illustrate the strategy and tactics used by both sides.
- How might the French and Americans have considered their strengths and weaknesses when preparing their strategy for this battle? (Hint: review the American and British Strengths and Weaknesses in your notebook.)
- What might have occurred at Yorktown that would have allowed the war to continue?
- What was the most important factor in the Americans' success at Yorktown?
- Describe what it must have been like to be an American/French/British soldier on October 19, 1781.
- In your opinion, how was it possible for the underdog Americans to defeat the greatest military power on Earth (Great Britain) in the American Revolutionary War?