Final answer:
The events at Yorktown took place as follows: Comte de Rochambeau arrived to support Washington, Cornwallis's army was blockaded on land and sea, Cornwallis requested a ceasefire to negotiate surrender, and British troops surrendered between Franco-American forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sequence of events leading to the surrender at Yorktown and the culmination of the American Revolution can be sorted chronologically as follows:
- Comte de Rochambeau arrived in America to assist General Washington. This move strengthened the Franco-American forces, which was a key factor in the eventual siege at Yorktown.
- General Cornwallis moved his army to Yorktown, incorrectly anticipating support from the British navy, which led to his blockade at sea and eventually being surrounded on land by American and French forces.
- After being effectively surrounded and with no relief in sight, Admiral Cornwallis requested a ceasefire to begin negotiations for surrender.
- Following the negotiations, British troops filed out of Yorktown between two lines of Franco-American Troops, signifying the final surrender.
In summary, the strategic and combined efforts of American and French forces under the leadership of General Washington and Comte de Rochambeau, along with the naval blockade by the French fleet, led to the surrender of British forces at Yorktown, effectively ending the American Revolution.