Question

What event took place in 1777 in Yorktown, Virginia, where the British troops were camped out?

Answer 1

In 1781, not 1777, the Siege of Yorktown occurred where General George Washington's American and French forces surrounded British troops under Lord Cornwallis. Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, marking a decisive American victory and the end of major hostilities in the American Revolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Siege and Surrender at Yorktown

The event that took place in 1777 in Yorktown, Virginia, where the British troops were camped, is frequently referred to as the Siege of Yorktown. This critical event actually took place from September 28 to October 19, 1781, and was the last major action of the American Revolution.

General George Washington, with combined American and French forces, trapped British troops under the command of Lieutenant General Lord William Cornwallis.

Cornwallis, having marched his troops to Yorktown, Virginia, expected the British navy to evacuate his men, but was thwarted by French Naval forces and the joint strength of Continental and French armies on land.

Cornwallis ultimately surrendered, marking the decisive end of major hostilities in the war for American independence.

After the long campaign in the South, which included the brutal battle of Guilford Courthouse, Cornwallis and his troops settled into defensive works in Yorktown awaiting naval evacuation.

When the British navy was blocked by French Admiral de Grasse's ships in the Chesapeake Bay, and relief from Lieutenant General Henry Clinton did not arrive in time, Cornwallis's plans to break the siege failed.

On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis capitulated, resulting in a pivotal American victory that led to the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Answer 2

The event that took place in 1777 in Yorktown, Virginia, where the British troops were camped out was the surrender of General Cornwallis to American and French forces, marking a crucial turning point in the American Revolutionary War.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1777, Yorktown, Virginia, witnessed a pivotal event in the American Revolutionary War. General Cornwallis, leading the British troops, established a fortified position in Yorktown. However, in 1781, a combined force of American troops under General George Washington and French troops led by General Rochambeau laid siege to Cornwallis' army in Yorktown.

The siege lasted several weeks, during which American and French forces encircled the British, cutting off their escape routes and bombarding their defenses. The naval blockade prevented Cornwallis from receiving crucial reinforcements or supplies. The relentless pressure from the combined forces weakened the British position significantly.

As the situation for the British became increasingly dire, Cornwallis realized that further resistance was futile. On October 19, 1781, he surrendered his army to General Washington. This surrender effectively marked the end of major fighting in the Revolutionary War. The victory at Yorktown proved decisive for the American cause, as it led to negotiations and eventually the Treaty of Paris in 1783, securing American independence from Britain.

Yorktown's significance lies in being the site where the British forces, under General Cornwallis, capitulated to the joint American and French troops. This event shifted the momentum of the war in favor of the American colonies, hastening the path towards their eventual independence from British rule.