American+Revolution

toc =Rev War Tour Builder= Travel the globe and examine the critical events and battles of the American Revolution.

=Boston Tea Party= == = = media type="custom" key="25546814" width="150" height="150"

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=Battle of Bunker Hill= == media type="custom" key="25619038"

= = =Battle of Yorktown= =media type="custom" key="25606342" =

On September 28, 1781, in Yorktown, Virginia, the outcome of the American Revolution was decided. Cornwallis, the commander of the English army, had retreated to Yorktown, built fortifications, and waited for reinforcements. But Washington was confident that with the French Naval support he could wait out a siege. He figured that if the French Navy could stop the British reinforcements then the British would run out of food and arms. Combined the French and Americans numbered 16,000, the English 7,500. Washington's men advanced to the trenches that the British had unnecessarily abandoned. On October 16th, Cornwallis attempted to escape across the York River, but bad weather forced him back. After a siege of thirteen days, on October 17th (the anniversary of Burgoyne’s capitulation at Saratoga) Cornwallis signaled his desire to surrender. Cornwallis was so embarrassed by his defeat that he refused to take part in the ceremony himself. Instead he sent brigadier general Charles O’Hara, to officially surrender for him. At that Washington sent one of his subordinates, General Benjamin Lincoln to accept his surrender for him. After hearing of the surrender, Lord North saw the end of the war had come. He cried out in despair, “Oh, god! Oh god! It is over! It is all over!” This was the beginning of the end for Great Britain and they finally accepted a peace treaty (The Treaty of Paris) two years later.

