Yorktown Battlefield
Colonial Yorktown is part of the historical triangle of Williamsburg, once a popular tobacco port due to its access to the James River, Yorktown is best remembered today for being the location for the final battle of the Revolutionary War and the Surrender of the British forces.
Colonial Yorktown is very similar in appearance to Colonial Williamsburg, many of the historical buildings are still intact, and it is surrounded with a sense of history. One can still visit the cave in which Lord Cornwallis hid in during the American bombardment.
Visitors are able to trek through Coloinal Yorktown, although many of the old streets are blocked off to automobiles to keep the integrity of the streets intact, although not as large as Colonial Williamsburg it is still a sight to see. Right next to Colonial Yorktown lays the Yorktown Battlefield and museum. Visitors are allowed to tour the entire battlefield through a driving tour that takes them to a variety key positions in the battle. Many of the cannons and fortified barracks are still intact today that give visitors a sense of what the battle was like.
It is the location in which America won its independence from the British, therefore there are very few places in America with such importance.
Online Video: "America's Final Victory - 1781"Things to think about -
Take some time and explore the links and media materials to the right, while doing your research try to answer some of the questions below.
- 1. How did the Yorktown Battle come about?
- 2. What was the Colonial strategy for the battle?
- 3. What was the British strategy for the battle?
- 4. Did Lord Cornwallis surrender his own sword? Why or why not?
- 5. Did we have the assistance of the French in the battle?
- 6. Why was Yorktown a strategic point for the British?
