Essential Maps (Unit 2)
Overview of the American Revolution
Major Battles of the American Revolution
This map illustrates the major battles fought in the American Revolution, as well as the troop movements of both the British and American troops, from the start of the war in 1775 to the defeat of Britain in 1781.
The early movements centered around Boston, Massachusetts and then spread to the areas around New York and then ended up with the surrender of the British to the patriot forces in Yorktown, Virginia. "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Excellent leadership by George Washington, the aid of European nations such as France and Spain, as well as the tactical errors made by British commanders all contributed to the American victory. |
Campaign in the SouthIn 1778, fighting shifted to the South. By December 1778, Britain had succeeded in capturing Savannah, Georgia and as well as the port city of Charleston, South Carolina. But bands of patriots harassed loyalists and disrupted supply lines, and Britain failed to achieve control over the southern countryside before advancing northward to Yorktown, Virginia. In 1781, an American and French force defeated the British at Yorktown in the war's last major battle. |
British Surrender at Yorktown, 1781
America declared its independence in 1776, but it took another five years to win freedom from the British. That day came on October 19, 1781, when the British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his troops in Yorktown, Virginia.
General Cornwallis brought 8,000 British troops to Yorktown. They expected help from British ships sent from New York. The British ships never arrived. That was lucky for General George Washington and the Continental army. Washington had help from the French. The French navy kept British ships from entering through the York River or Chesapeake Bay. French troops led by General Jean-Baptiste Rochambeau also joined Washington. Rochambeau and Washington gathered an army of 17,000 soldiers to take Yorktown back from the British. The siege on Yorktown continued and the Continental Army surrounded the town, they cut off supplies and, after awhile, the British ran out of food and ammunition. Surrounded by French and American troops, General Cornwallis had no choice but to surrender. |
Boundary Changes - Treaty of Paris, 1783The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolution and resulted in the official recognition of the United States of America by Britain. The terms of the treaty, especially in regard to the amount of territory gained by the United States, were considered "exceedingly generous" and greatly enlarged the boundaries of the new nation. |