- 1. The British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781 marked a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War, effectively signaling the decline of British colonial power in America. It was during this climactic siege that General Lord Cornwallis, leading British forces, found himself surrounded by a combined army of American and French troops under the command of General George Washington and General Rochambeau. For several weeks, the Continental Army and their French allies laid siege to Yorktown, employing strategic positioning and a relentless barrage of artillery that systematically weakened the British defenses. As supplies dwindled and reinforcements failed to arrive, Cornwallis faced the dire reality of capitulation. On October 19, 1781, after a brave but futile resistance, he formally surrendered, leading to the capture of over 7,000 British troops. This decisive defeat shifted the momentum of the war in favor of the Americans, galvanizing support for their cause both domestically and internationally, ultimately contributing to the negotiations that would culminate in the Treaty of Paris in 1783, recognizing the sovereignty of the United States.
When did the British surrender at Yorktown take place?
A) 1790
B) 1783
C) 1776
D) 1781
- 2. Who was the British commanding general who surrendered at Yorktown?
A) Lafayette
B) Cornwallis
C) Washington
D) Benedict Arnold
- 3. Which American general played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown?
A) John Adams
B) George Washington
C) Thomas Jefferson
D) Alexander Hamilton
- 4. Who was the French commander who helped trap the British at Yorktown?
A) Marquis de Lafayette
B) Rochambeau
C) Napoleon
D) Louis XVI
- 5. Which naval officer cut off British escape by sea at Yorktown?
A) Magellan
B) Columbus
C) Nelson
D) de Grasse
- 6. Which European nation was an ally to the American forces at Yorktown?
A) France
B) Spain
C) Sweden
D) Portugal
- 7. Who famously played a key role in convincing France to support the American cause?
A) James Madison
B) Thomas Paine
C) John Hancock
D) Benjamin Franklin
- 8. What river near Yorktown aided the American and French forces during the siege?
A) Hudson River
B) York River
C) Potomac River
D) Mississippi River
- 9. What role did the French navy play in the lead up to the surrender at Yorktown?
A) Blockaded British forces
B) Evacuated American troops
C) Provided food supplies
D) Assisted British escape
- 10. Which side suffered higher casualties during the Siege of Yorktown?
A) American
B) British
C) Spanish
D) French
- 11. Where is Yorktown located?
A) Georgia
B) Massachusetts
C) Virginia
D) New York
- 12. Which country did not play a significant role in the British surrender at Yorktown?
A) United States
B) Spain
C) Netherlands
D) France
- 13. Which British army rank was Cornwallis when he surrendered at Yorktown?
A) Admiral
B) Captain
C) General
D) Colonel
- 14. Which American city served as the headquarters for the siege of Yorktown?
A) Philadelphia
B) Williamsburg
C) Charleston
D) Boston
- 15. What celebrated document did the British sign at the surrender at Yorktown?
A) Constitution of the United States
B) Declaration of Independence
C) Articles of Capitulation
D) Treaty of Paris
- 16. Which Native American tribe fought alongside the British at Yorktown?
A) Mohawk
B) Cherokee
C) Sioux
D) Apache
- 17. In what month did the British surrender at Yorktown occur?
A) October
B) July
C) March
D) December
- 18. The events at Yorktown marked a turning point leading to which major peace treaty?
A) Treaty of Paris 1783
B) Treaty of Versailles 1787
C) Jay Treaty 1794
D) Treaty of Amity and Commerce 1778
|