Siege of Yorktown Begins with French Support
French and American forces commenced the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, to overpower British General Cornwallis. The combined forces, under the command of American General George Washington and French General Rochambeau, strategically positioned themselves to encircle the British army, bolstered by the presence of the French fleet led by Admiral de Grasse, which denied British naval reinforcements and supply lines. This joint effort aimed to bring a decisive end to British military operations in the American colonies, leading to eventual independence.
Combined forces numbered around 14,000 troops
British forces were limited to 8,000 in Yorktown
The French navy played a crucial role in the siege
Cornwallis's surrender led to the Treaty of Paris
What Happened?
The siege of Yorktown was a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War, taking place from September 28 to October 19, 1781. American General George Washington and French General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, led a combined force of approximately 14,000 troops against British General Charles Cornwallis’s 8,000 men stationed in Yorktown, Virginia. This strategic engagement was the culmination of months of planning and collaboration between the Americans and French, who had both a shared interest in curtailing British power in the colonies.
As the siege began, the French fleet commanded by Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse played a critical role in restricting British naval access to Yorktown. By blockading Chesapeake Bay, de Grasse ensured that Cornwallis could not receive reinforcements or essential supplies from the British navy, effectively isolating the British forces. The siege itself involved heavy artillery bombardments and intense fighting, with American and French troops working in unison, digging trenches and laying siegeworks to minimize British defenses.
The successful siege culminated in the surrender of Cornwallis’s army, arguably marking the last major military action of the American Revolution. The American victory at Yorktown served not only as a significant morale boost for the revolutionary cause but also demonstrated the effectiveness of the Franco-American alliance. The outcomes of this siege led to negotiations that ultimately resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, formally recognizing American independence.
Why Does it Matter?
The siege of Yorktown is interesting because it effectively ended major military operations of the American Revolutionary War and established the United States’ path to independence. The combined efforts of American and French forces illustrated the importance of international alliances in achieving common goals and set a precedent for future diplomatic relations.