Yorktown

Explain how the York River and the bay trapped the British in 1781, with Franklin's French alliance helping.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 24

America needed help, and Benjamin Franklin got it. In Paris he won over the French, who sent money, soldiers, and ships. A country that helps another in a war is called an ally.
In 1781, British General Cornwallis took his army to Yorktown, Virginia. It sat on a river near Chesapeake Bay, so British ships could bring supplies. It seemed a smart use of the land.
But water can trap you too. French ships took control of the bay, so no British ships could get in. Washington's soldiers and a French army marched south and blocked the land side.
The British were surrounded on a narrow strip of land. After weeks of cannon fire, Cornwallis surrendered in October 1781.
The fighting mostly ended. In the Treaty of Paris of 1783, Britain recognized the United States of America. A treaty is a written agreement between countries.

Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies:

SS4H1.c — Describe the major events of the American Revolution and explain the factors leading to American victory and British defeat; include the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, and Yorktown.
SS4H1.b — Describe the influence of key individuals and groups during the American Revolution: King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Paul Revere, and Black regiments.
SS4G2.a — Explain how each force (American and British) attempted to use the physical geography of each battle site (Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, and Yorktown) to its benefit.
MGS.7 — Map and Globe Skill 7: use a map to explain impact of geography on historical and current events (mastered in Grade 4)