Battle of Yorktown

What made the Battle of Yorktown significant?

• It was the first battle of the American Revolution.

• It was the final battle of the American Civil War.

• The British soundly defeated the Americans causing them to nearly give up on independence.

• It was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

• It was the first time that the Spanish helped the British in the war.

Answer explanation

The Battle of Yorktown was the last great battle of the American Revolutionary War. It was where the British Army surrendered and the British government began to consider a peace treaty.

Who was the general in charge of the British troops at Yorktown?

• Charles Cornwallis

• George Washington

• Robert E. Lee

• Nathanael Greene

• Benedict Arnold

Answer explanation

...the British Army under General Charles Cornwallis was retreating to Yorktown,

What was the date of the British surrender?

• December 16, 1773

• April 19, 1775

• July 4, 1776

• October 19, 1781

• September 3, 1783

Answer explanation

On October 19, 1781 General Cornwallis signed the British surrender.

What country helped the Americans to win the battle by defeating the British Navy and preventing the arrival of reinforcements?

• Spain

• Denmark

• France

• The Netherlands

• Germany

Answer explanation

The British leader, General Cornwallis, was expecting to get reinforcements from the British Navy. When the French defeated the British Navy and prevented them from sending help, Cornwallis knew he was going to lose the battle.

What important role did the southern Continental Army under General Nathanael Greene play in the build up to the battle of Yorktown?

• They played no role whatsoever

• They forced the British Army to retreat to the east coast where they ended up surrounded at Yorktown

• They defeated the British Navy at Yorktown Harbor

• They guarded the prisoners of war after the battle

• They guarded the prisoners of war after the battle

Answer explanation

...Greene pt in some new tactics that enabled American victories and caused the British Army to retreat to the East Coast (Yorktown).

What happened in Britain after the army surrendered at Yorktown?

• They began to think they may lose the war

• They realized that the cost of fighting the war was not worth keeping control of the colonies

• The British Prime Minister resigned from office

• They began to think that peace was a better alternative

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Around 8,000 British troops surrendered in Yorktown. Although this wasn't all of the army, it was a big enough to force cause the British to start thinking they were going to lose the war. Losing this battle made them start to think about peace and that it wasn't worth the cost of the war to keep the colonies.

The British Prime Minister, Lord Frederick North, resigned after the British defeat and surrender at Yorktown.

True or False: General George Washington agreed to all of the British conditions of surrender.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Finally Cornwallis sent out the white flag for surrender. He originally made a lot of demands to George Washington for his surrender, but Washington didn't agree.

How long did the battle and siege of Yorktown last?

• One day

• Three days

• Twenty days

• Two months

• Six months

Answer explanation

The battle lasted around 20 days.

What French officer eventually reached the rank of Major General in the United States Army?

• Marquis de La Fayette

• Nathanael Greene

• George Washington

• Horatio Gates

• Richard Montgomery

Answer explanation

Some of the American forces were led by Marquis de La Fayette, a French officer who became a Major General in the American army.

Around how many British troops surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown?

• 300

• 900

• 2,000

• 8,000

• 22,000

Answer explanation

Around 8,000 British troops surrendered at Yorktown.