American Victory

The Battle of Yorktown

• The deciding battle of the Revolutionary War where Cornwallis and the British surrendered to American and French troops on October 19, 1781

The Treaty of Paris 1783

• Set up the terms of peace between Britain and the new United States after the Revolutionary War

• The U.S. was represented by Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay in the negotiations

• Britain formally recognized the independence of the 13 colonies

• Boarders were set for the new United States of America, going from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Mississippi River to the west and from the Great Lakes in the north to the northern part of Florida in the south

• Americans agreed that Loyalists would not be punished and they would get back their property

• Both sides agreed to repay their debts to each other

• Finally, and most importantly, the British agreed to leave the United States

Against the odds: Reasons for America’s Victory

Remember…

• The American army at the start of the war lacked proper training and experience from its soldiers plus it was short of supplies and weapons

• The British army on the other hand had experienced, well-equipped and professional soldiers

Americans’ Home-Field Advantage

• Americans were more familiar with the climate, land, and bodies of water where the fight was being wagged and could always get help from a local Patriot

•As the war in the colonies lasted longer and longer, the British people began paying less and less attention to it, not wanting to give their money or support to the soldiers

American Tactics and Leadership

• Colonists realized that they couldn’t beat the British with their style of fighting so they began using surprise attack tactics they learned from the Indians

• The colonists had leaders who learned from their mistakes and were leaders of men whereas the British leaders were overconfident and made poor decisions

Help From Abroad

• After the colonists won the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, the French were convinced that the Americans could win the war and joined sides with them, giving them troops, money, and weapons

French forces led by Marquis de Lafayette aided in the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown

Americans’ Will to Win

• Colonists had a greater will to win than the British because they were fighting to protect their families and their homes and the British soldiers had no personal stake in the war’s outcome

Impact of the Revolution

• The country would expand past the Appalachian Mountains for the first time

• The war was expensive and left the new country in a $27 million debt

• After claiming freedom from Britain, people began questioning other freedoms such as religious and slavery

• How to create a national government that would protect citizens’ individual rights