how did the french and america during the battle of yorktown

In the battle of Yorktown, the Empire of French helped the Americans in the following ways: French provided 7500-8800 military men to fight the war. They also sent their 29 warships. French sent some of their top military generals, like Comte de Rochambeau. Provided money and arms support, etc.

Full Answer

How did the Americans defeat the British at the Battle of Yorktown?

As American troops hacked at the abatis with axes the British were alerted. A British sentry fired at the Americans and the Americans proceeded to assault the fortification, climbing over the parapet and descending into the redoubt. Serious fighting ensued in close quarters, but the British were overwhelmed.

How did Cornwallis defend Yorktown against the French?

Cornwallis had thrown up a series of redoubts on the outskirts of Yorktown while the majority of his men hunkered down in the town. When the American and French army arrived at Yorktown the French secured the left flank and the Americans the right.

Did Lafayette fight in the Battle of Yorktown?

Three weeks later, Washington reached Lafayette’s headquarters in Williamsburg and, at the end of September, marched on Yorktown with over 17,000 American and French soldiers. Lafayette commanded a division of American troops and was present at the siege and surrender of Cornwallis on October 19, 1781.

How did the French help the colonists win the American Revolution?

The Marquis de Lafayette was only the beginning. How crucial were the French to helping colonists win the American Revolution? An iconic oil painting of the British surrender at Yorktown, now hanging in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, perfectly captures the partnership.

How did the French help the Americas in the Battle of Yorktown?

The French navy transported reinforcements, fought off a British fleet, and protected Washington's forces in Virginia. French assistance was crucial in securing the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.

What did the French do in Yorktown?

Washington's troops in New York, where they were to attack the British stronghold in New York City. But plans changed. With the mission refocused on taking Cornwallis's army in Yorktown, the French continued their trek for 300 miles and five weeks and helped win a critical victory for the Americans.

Did the French fight in the Battle of Yorktown?

Contents. When British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his army surrendered to General George Washington's American force and its French allies at the Battle of Yorktown on October 19, 1781, it was more than just military win.

How did the Americans and French lay siege to Yorktown?

The Americans and French marched from Williamsburg to Yorktown on September 28 and began digging a trench 800 yards from the British defense line to begin a siege. By October 9, the allies' trench was finished and their artillery had been moved up.

Why was the Battle of Yorktown so significant?

The Yorktown Campaign ensured American efforts to win independence from Great Britain would end in success, and elevated General George Washington's notoriety as a result of his role directing the victory.

Why did the French help the colonists?

As England's American colonies became ever more rebellious in the 1760s and 1770s, France was naturally predisposed to favor the American revolutionaries and saw an opportunity to try to blunt the power of its longtime adversary.

How many French and American troops fought at the Battle of Yorktown?

Size of the armies at the Battle of Yorktown: 8,800 American troops, 7,800 French troops and 6,000 British and German troops.

What happened during the Battle of Yorktown?

Siege of Yorktown, (September 28–October 19, 1781), joint Franco-American land and sea campaign that entrapped a major British army on a peninsula at Yorktown, Virginia, and forced its surrender. The siege virtually ended military operations in the American Revolution.

What strategies were used in the Battle of Yorktown?

Washington's strategy was to dig trenches through which he could move his heavy guns close enough to Yorktown to pound Cornwallis into surrender.

What are 5 facts about the Battle of Yorktown?

Battle of Yorktown | 10 Facts About The Historic Battle#1 Despite being a veteran, Rochambeau accepted Washington as the leader. ... #3 Washington tricked Clinton to believe that he wouldn't attack Yorktown. ... #4 Battle of the Chesapeake hugely influenced the Surrender at Yorktown. ... #5 The British were outnumbered by about 2:1.More items...•

What happened at the end of the Battle of Yorktown?

September 28, 1781 – October 19, 1781Siege of Yorktown / Period

How many French troops were at the Battle of Yorktown?

7,800 French troopsSize of the armies at the Battle of Yorktown: 8,800 American troops, 7,800 French troops and 6,000 British and German troops.

What happened during the Battle of Yorktown?

Siege of Yorktown, (September 28–October 19, 1781), joint Franco-American land and sea campaign that entrapped a major British army on a peninsula at Yorktown, Virginia, and forced its surrender. The siege virtually ended military operations in the American Revolution.

How many people were wounded in the Battle of Yorktown?

326 wounded. 7,416 missing & captured. The Battle of Yorktown marks the collapse of the British war efforts. Later, it is said that the British band played the tune “The World’s Turned Upside Down” during the surrender at Yorktown—an apocryphal story that has become part of American folklore.

What was the name of the battle that the British and French battled at the mouth of the Chesapeake?

In this encounter, called the Battle of the Capes, the British fleet is soundly defeated and forced to abandon Cornwallis’s army at Yorktown. September 28.

What was the last major land battle of the American Revolution?

Outnumbered and outfought during a three-week siege in which they sustained great losses, British troops surrendered to the Continental Army and their French allies. This last major land battle of the American Revolution led to negotiations for peace with the British and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

How did the French help Washington?

This time, France obliged requests for assistance by sending over some of its elite troops to help Washington’s patriots. The French commander was a respected officer named Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau. The 450 officers and 5,300 men of Rochambeau’s Expeditionary Forces landed off the coast of Rhode Island in July 1780. They marched for days to meet up with Gen. Washington’s troops in New York, where they were to attack the British stronghold in New York City. But plans changed. With the mission refocused on taking Cornwallis’s army in Yorktown, the French continued their trek for 300 miles and five weeks and helped win a critical victory for the Americans.

What was the difference between the Continental Army and the American Revolution?

Their forces were well-equipped and expertly trained. The Continental Army, on the other hand, drew men of diverse ages and backgrounds into an undisciplined force. With few resources at hand, the Americans knew they would need to engage an ally if they were to sustain a fight for independence. France was a longtime foe of Britain and still thirsting for revenge after their defeat by the Crown in the Seven Years War. In 1777, a delegation headed by Benjamin Franklin arrived at the court of Louis XVI to negotiate an alliance between the United States and France. The mission was a success, with the King agreeing to send muskets, mortars, gunpowder, and cash to America.

What was the Allied line on October 9th?

October 9. The Allied lines are now within musket range of the British and American and French artillery are in place. In the afternoon, the Allied barrage begins, with the French opening the salvo. On the American side, George Washington touches off the first cannon to commence their assault. His artillery consists of three 24-pounders, three 18-pounders, two 8-inch (203 mm) howitzers, and 6 mortars, totaling 14 guns. For nearly a week the artillery barrage is ceaseless, shattering whatever nerve the British have remaining and punching holes in British defenses.

What was the American conflict?

The American conflict was unpopular and divisive, and there was no end in sight. For the colonies, the long struggle for independence was leading to enormous debt, food shortages, and a lack of morale among the soldiers. Both sides were desperately seeking a definitive victory.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Yorktown?

The outcome in Yorktown, Virginia marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nation's independence. It also cemented Washington’s reputation as a great leader and eventual election as first president of the United States.

Where did the French troops land in 1780?

Timeline Leading Up to the Battle. In the summer of 1780, 5,500 French troops, with Comte de Rochambeau at the helm, landed in Newport, Rhode Island to aid the Americans. At the time, British forces were fighting on two fronts, with General Henry Clinton occupying New York City, and Cornwallis, who had already captured Charleston and Savannah, ...

What happened to Cornwallis on October 16th?

In a final effort on October 16, Cornwallis attempted a nighttime sea evacuation, but he was stopped by a storm. On the morning of October 17, the British sent forward a red-coated drummer boy, followed by an officer waving a white handkerchief to the parapet. All guns fell silent—Cornwallis had surrendered.

How many soldiers did General Cornwallis lose?

General Cornwallis Surrenders. Of his 400 infantrymen, Hamilton lost just nine in the attack, with some 30 wounded, while the 400 French-led troops lost 27 men, with 109 wounded, according to Fleming. Surrounded by enemy fire, and blocked from receiving aid by the French fleet that had arrived in Chesapeake Bay, Cornwallis was trapped.

What was the end of the Revolutionary War?

When British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his army surrendered to General George Washington ’s American force and its French allies at the Battle of Yorktown on October 19, 1781, it was more than just military win. The outcome in Yorktown, Virginia marked the conclusion of the last major battle ...

What did Washington do when he found the French fleet was instead sailing to the Chesapeake Bay?

When they found the French fleet was instead sailing to the Chesapeake Bay, Washington concocted a new plan. “He would fool Clinton into thinking the Continentals were planning to attack New York while instead sneaking away to the south to attack Cornwallis,” according to the Army Heritage Center Foundation.

Where did Washington and Rochambeau arrive?

Washington arrives in Yorktown. By mid-September 1781, Washington and Rochambeau arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia, 13 miles from the tobacco port of Yorktown, where Cornwallis’s men had built a defense of 10 small forts (a.k.a. redoubts) with artillery batteries and connecting trenches. In response, Cornwallis asked Clinton for aid, ...

Why did Washington use the French forces?

Washington initially intended to utilize the French forces in an attempt to liberate New York City, but met resistance from both his officers and Rochambeau. Instead, the French commander began to advocate for a strike against exposed British forces to the south. He supported this argument by stating that Rear Admiral Comte de Grasse intended to bring his fleet north from the Caribbean and that there were easier targets along the coast.

What was the result of the Battle of the Chesapeake?

In the resulting Battle of the Chesapeake, de Grasse succeeded leading the British away from the mouth of the bay. While the running battle that ensued was tactically inconclusive, de Grasse continued to draw the enemy away from Yorktown.

What was the name of the town that Washington and Rochambeau marched to?

With the army assembled, Washington and Rochambeau began the march to Yorktown on September 28. Arriving outside the town later that day, the two commanders deployed their forces with the Americans on the right and the French on the left. A mixed Franco-American force, led by the Comte de Choissey, was dispatched across the York River to oppose the British position on Gloucester Point.

What happened to Hamilton's men after the Redoubts were captured?

Cutting through the abatis, Hamilton's men climbed through a ditch in front of the redoubt and forced their way over the wall. Encountering heavy resistance, they ultimately overwhelmed and captured the garrison. Immediately after the redoubts were captured, American sappers began extending the siege lines.

What happened to Washington and Rochambeau when they reached Philadelphia?

Reaching Philadelphia in early September, Washington endured a brief crisis when some of his men refused to continue the march unless they were paid one month's back wages in coin. This situation was remedied when Rochambeau loaned the American commander the needed gold coins. Pressing south, Washington and Rochambeau learned that de Grasse had arrived in the Chesapeake and landed troops to reinforce Lafayette. This done, French transports were sent north to ferry the combined Franco-American army down the bay.

How many men did Cornwallis send to New York?

In Yorktown, Cornwallis held out hope that a promised relief force of 5,000 men would arrive from New York. Outnumbered more than 2-to-1, he ordered his men to abandon the outer works around the town and fall back to the main line of fortifications.

What was the last major battle of the American Revolution?

The Battle of Yorktown was the last major engagement of the American Revolution (1775-1783) and was fought September 28 to October 19, 1781. Moving south from New York, a combined Franco-American army trapped Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis' army against the York River in southern Virginia. After a brief siege, the British were compelled ...

How did the American Revolution depend on France?

And from the earliest days, America’s uprising depended on French willingness to provide open-ended credit that enabled Deane and his partners to ship supplies to the beleaguered revolutionary forces . Ultimately, France provided about 1.3 billion livres of desperately-needed money and goods to support the rebels. Estimates suggest that at the colonists’ October 1777 victory at Saratoga, a turning point in the war, 90 percent of all American troops carried French arms, and they were completely dependent on French gunpowder.

What would have happened if France had not aided the American Revolution?

Without France’s aid, American revolutionaries might have been seen by other major powers merely as treasonous subjects rebelling against their rulers. French willingness to negotiate with Deane, Franklin and their successors conferred legitimacy on American leaders. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce of 1778 formally acknowledged the United States as an independent nation and opened the way for Americans to continue trading internationally. Over time, France also enlisted the aid of other major European powers (Spain allied itself with the United States in 1779) while sidelining others, like Austria, which never joined the war but made clear it would back France in any wider conflict.

What was France's threat to Britain?

They posed a heftier geopolit ical threat to Britain. Still smarting from its defeat in the Seven Years’ War and loss of colonies worldwide, including much of Canada, France saw America’s rebellion as an opportunity for revenge—and to re-establish part of its own empire at British expense.

What did Deane want?

Deane’s real quest was very different: He sought military engineers, along with clothing, arms and ammunition for 25,000 soldiers. Oh, and credit from the French to pay for it all. Within two weeks of arriving, he had what he wanted, and France had become a secret supporter of the revolution.

What was the impact of French participation on the colonial rebellion?

French participation transformed what might otherwise have been a lopsided colonial rebellion into a significant war, with potential to become another global conflict. The British, it turned out, had little appetite for this—especially when other European powers such as Spain and the Dutch Republic proved willing to support the colonists. The geopolitical calculus made it difficult for British legislators to accept the prospect of a prolonged, costly and global battle.

When did Benjamin Franklin travel to Paris?

When Benjamin Franklin himself traveled to Paris in November 1776, much of the secrecy surrounding the negotiations with France fell away. But Franklin’s popularity with everyone from the aristocracy (he encouraged Lafayette to volunteer) to the general public put more pressure on the French regime to keep supporting their new allies—even amid reports of American losses and their dreadful winter at Valley Forge.

When did Patrick Henry give his speech?

Patrick Henry delivering his famous speech on the Rights of the Colonies, before the Virginia Assembly, convened at Richmond, March 23, 1775. Heritage Art/Heritage Images/Getty Images. “Give me liberty or give me death!”.

What did the trenches in Yorktown do?

With the help of French engineers, American and French troops began to dig a series of parallel trenches which brought troops and artillery close enough to inflict damage on the British. Feverishly working night and day, soldiers of the combined forces employed spades and axes to create a perimeter line of trenches that would encircle the British. British deserters alerted the Allies that British morale inside Yorktown was low. As the work on the parallels continued, the British attempted to disrupt Allied operations by using what little artillery they had left. Their attempts proved futile.

How many French troops were in Washington's army?

Sensing an opportunity, General George Washington’s Continental Army, close to 20,000 strong, now reinforced by several thousand French troops led by Comte de Rochambeau, opted to lay siege to Cornwallis’s Army. After a grueling forced march beginning in New York, the Franco-American army arrived near Yorktown, ...

What happened to Cornwallis at Yorktown?

The Royal Navy had intended to sail up the Chesapeake Bay in order to provide supplies and much needed reinforcements to the encircled Cornwallis, however, no such aid materialized. On September 5, the British aid and resupply fleet was met by French warships at Battle of the Capes, was heavily defeated, and was furthermore forced to abandon the British Army at Yorktown. Cornwallis was trapped.

What happened in 1781?

Two days later on October 19, 1781 in a field outside of Yorktown the capitulation took place as British troops and their Hessian allies with flags furled and cased marched sullenly between contingents of American and French forces. The British sought honorable terms of surrender, but Washington refused as American forces were denied the same honor in Charleston, South Carolina earlier in the war. Legend has it that the British band played the nursery tune, “The World’s Turned Upside Down” as they surrendered. That legend has become part of American folklore, but the world changed that day as the military operations of the War for Independence ceased. Two year later in 1783 that the British would abandon New York City and Washington’s forces would victoriously enter that city. The war was over and a new nation born.

What song did the British play when they surrendered?

Legend has it that the British band played the nursery tune, “The World’s Turned Upside Down” as they surrendered.

How many guns did George Washington have?

The American artillery consisted of three twenty-four pounders, three eighteen pounders, two eight-inch (203 mm) howitzers and six mortars, totaling fourteen guns.

What was the Allied line on October 7th?

On October 7, the Allied lines were now within musket range of the British. Two days later American and French artillery were in place. On the afternoon of October 9 the Allied barrage began, with the French opening the salvo. On the American side, George Washington touched off the first American canon to commence their assault. The American artillery consisted of three twenty-four pounders, three eighteen pounders, two eight-inch (203 mm) howitzers and six mortars, totaling fourteen guns. For near a week the artillery barrage was ceaseless, shattering whatever nerve the British had remaining and punching holes in British defenses. Deliberately firing all night, Washington’s forces pounded the British in an effort to prevent them from repairing their damages.

How many soldiers were in Yorktown when Washington arrived?

Three weeks later, Washington reached Lafayette’s headquarters in Williamsburg and, at the end of September, marched on Yorktown with over 17,000 American and French soldiers. Lafayette commanded a division of American troops and was present at the siege and surrender of Cornwallis on October 19, 1781.

Who gave the perception through information cleverly leaked to Lafayette, that only a small portion of his army was left?

Crossing only some of his cavalry and his baggage, Cornwallis gave the perception through information cleverly leaked to Lafayette, that only a small portion of his army was left near Jamestown. Lafayette, seizing the opportunity, sent Wayne and his corps of 800 men to reconnoiter the British position.

What did Lafayette write to Washington?

On August 21, Lafayette wrote Washington of the possibility of taking on Cornwallis: " In the present State of affairs, My dear General, I Hope You will come Yourself to Virginia, and that if the french Army Moves this way, I will Have at last the Satisfaction of Beholding You Myself at the Head of the Combined Armies... When a french fleet takes possession of the Bay and Rivers, and we form a land force Superior to His , that Army must Soon or late Be forced to Surrender as we may get what Reinforcements we please.” Unknown to Lafayette as he wrote his letter, Washington’s forces and a French army allied with him, had begun to move from New York to Yorktown, while a large French battle fleet was sailing for the Chesapeake Bay. Three weeks later, Washington reached Lafayette’s headquarters in Williamsburg and, at the end of September, marched on Yorktown with over 17,000 American and French soldiers. Lafayette commanded a division of American troops and was present at the siege and surrender of Cornwallis on October 19, 1781.

What did Lafayette write about his Virginia campaign?

Lafayette wrote his wife about the culmination of his Virginia Campaign: “The end of this campaign is truly brilliant for the allied troops. There was a rare coordination in our movements, and I would be finicky indeed if I were not pleased with the end of my campaign in Virginia. You must have been informed of all the toil the superiority and talents of Lord Cornwallis gave me and of the advantage that we then gained in recovering lost ground, until at length we had Lord Cornwallis in the position we needed in order to capture him. It was then that everyone pounced on him.”

How many people died in the Battle of Green Spring?

Estimated battle losses for the patriots were 28 killed, 99 wounded and 12 missing.

Why was Arnold sent to Virginia?

Arnold, now a Brigadier General in the British army, had been sent to Virginia in December 1780 to raid military supply bases, gather support from loyalists, and weaken Virginia’s ability to aid Major General Nathanael Greene’s patriot forces in the Carolinas.

What happened in the Independence NHP?

Independence NHP. Moving south of Green Spring, Wayne encountered British pickets. Lafayette, taken by the tenacity of the British, moved along the river to get a better view of the enemy positions. There he discovered Wayne’s forces were about to encounter most of Cornwallis’ troops.

Timeline Leading Up to The Battle

See more on history.com

Washington Arrives in Yorktown

The Role of Alexander Hamilton

General Cornwallis Surrenders

The End of The Revolutionary War