The War is Won Chapter 6, Lesson 4

The War is Won Comte Rochambeau (July 1780) – French General who arrived at Newport, Rhode Island with 5,000 soldiers. Arrived with ships carrying 5,000 French soldiers but were trapped by the British ships at Newport. Washington (Autumn 1780) – Camped North of New York City to keep an eye on General Clinton and his British army. Awaited the second French fleet arriving from the West Indies in order to attack the British, but it did not come for almost a year later in the summer of 1781. He was also aware of the occupation of Yorktown by Cornwallis and Lafayette and his troops would keep them there.

The War is Won Battle of Yorktown (August 1781) Admiral François de Grasse French Navy commander headed to New York with the second French fleet. Washington changes his plans and advances to Yorktown instead of attacking New York City and kept it secret so General Clinton would not send reinforcements to Cornwallis in York town. Rochambeau met with George Washington to assist along with Lafayette to attack Yorktown. British supplies ran low and many were sick or wounded. Cornwallis finally surrenders on October 19.

The War is Won The Second Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783) Despite controlling Savannah, Charles Town, and New York, the loss at York Town showed them the war was too costly to pursue. Ben Franklin John Adams, and John Jay represented the United States in Paris during the treaty. Britain had also made Peace with France and Spain at this time. The United States was now acknowledged by England as an Independent nation The current border for the new nation was from the Atlantic to the Mississippi and from Canada to Spanish Florida in the south. The British had to withdraw all troops. Americans could also fish off the coast of Canada. British Merchants were allowed to collect debts owed to them by Americans. Congress was also to instruct the country that property taken from Loyalist was to be returned to them.

The War is Won The Newburgh Conspiracy (March 1783) Washington kept the troops headquarter at Newburgh, New York with the intent to disband them once the treaty was signed. Soldier’s were angered to here that their pension was nonexistent along with other pay. They began circulating a letter stating if these demands were not met they should not disband. Washington worried this would destroy the new nation. Washington advocated for his troops saying they should be paid and was able to keep them under control under his leadership. Washington’s Farewell (December 4, 1783) British troops leave New York in November of 1783 Washington says good bye to his officers at Fraunces’ Tavern. Three weeks later he resigns, and retires to his home in Vernon where he hoped to have a quiet life.