Strategy The South became the focal point of the war in At first, Lord Cornwallis planned to take the Carolinas. But he changed his mind and planned to conquer Virginia and cut off American supply routes to the South.

Benedict Arnold The reason the British were able to be successful in Virginia was due in large part to Benedict Arnold. Arnold was an American general who joined the British because he felt he was not receiving enough credit for his American victories. Americans wanted Arnold for treason and there was a reward for his capture. –However, he was never captured.

Battle at Yorktown American troops under Lafayette staged raids and held Cornwallis in the South. Cornwallis made a mistake. Instead of sending part of his army to north he brought them to Yorktown Peninsula. Washington saw the opportunity to trap Cornwallis on the Peninsula. Also, a French fleet under Admiral de Grasse headed toward VA to cut off Cornwallis’s supplies.

Battle of Yorktown

The British Surrender By the end of September, American and French troops laid siege – when an army surrounds and blockades an enemy position in an attempt to capture it - around Yorktown. Eventually, Cornwallis was forced to surrender. On October 17,1781, the British surrendered their weapons.

The surrender at Yorktown

The Peace Treaty In London, the defeat shocked the British. Peace talks began in Paris in Congress sent Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, and Henry Laurens to talk. They set up the Treaty of Paris of 1783 – The British recognized the United States as an independent nation (extended from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes down to Florida) – Florida was returned to Spain. –America agreed to ask state legislatures to pay Loyalists for their destroyed property (most refused). –On April 15, 1783 – Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris.

Why the Americans Won Pair-Share with the person sitting next to you about why you think the Americans won. Write down some of your ideas.

Why the Americans Won Geography –The British had to send soldiers and supplies thousands of miles away from home, and Americans were familiar with the terrain, used tactics to their advantage- hit and run Foreign Help –The Spanish attacked along the Gulf of Mexico, French money helped pay for supplies and brought warships, Netherlands gave them loans Growing Patriotism –Spirits were high after battle of Saratoga –Got more recruits from the battle of Trenton –Britain was only fighting to keep the colonies for money Strong Leadership –George Washington had good battle plans –Baron Von Steubon made the Patriots an army by drilling them –Daniel Morgan, Nathanial Greene, Francis Marion- South