Introduction
In this two-part project you will reseach an important battle that had an impact on the outcome of the American Revolution, and use that research to create a short graphic novel/booklt.
Task
In this two-part project you will reseach an important battle that had an impact on the outcome of the American Revolution, and use that research to create a short graphic novel/booklt.
You will use the graphic orgnizer provided to you to record your reseach. You will only have ONE DAY to use the Chrome book so take good notes!
Tomorrow you will use your notes to create your
Process
Directions: Read and use the following information to help fill out your graphic orgnizer. Be as detailed as possible!
The Battle of Yorktown was the last great battle of the American Revolutionary War. It is where the British Army surrendered and the British government began to consider a peace treaty.
Build up to the Battle
General Nathanael Greene had taken over command of the American Continental Army in the South. Prior to General Greene's command, the war in the South had not been going very well, but Greene put in some new tactics that enabled American victories and caused the British Army to retreat to the East Coast.
Routes taken on march to Yorktown - Click to see larger view
At the same time that the British Army under General Charles Cornwallis was retreating to Yorktown, General George Washington was marching his army down from the north. The French Navy, having defeated the British Navy, started to move to the coast near Yorktown as well.
The Siege of Yorktown
The British Army was now surrounded at Yorktown. They were greatly outnumbered by the French and American troops. For eleven days the American forces bombarded the British. Finally Cornwallis sent out the white flag for surrender. He originally made a lot of demands to George Washington for his surrender, but Washington didn't agree. When the American troops started to prepare for another attack, Cornwallis agreed to Washington's terms and the battle was over.
Surrender
On October 19, 1781 General Cornwallis signed the British surrender. The document was called the Articles of Capitulation.
British Done Fighting
Around 8,000 British troops surrendered in Yorktown. Although this wasn't all of the army, it was a big enough force to cause the British to start thinking they were going to lose the war. Losing this battle made them start to think about peace and that it wasn't worth the cost of the war to keep the colonies. This opened the door for the Treaty of Paris.
Interesting Facts about the Battle of Yorktown
- General Cornwallis said he was sick and didn't show up to the surrender. He sent General Charles O'Hara to surrender his sword.
- The British tried to surrender to the French, but they made the British surrender to the Americans.
- In this battle between the French, Americans, and the British, nearly one third of the soldiers were Germans. There were thousands on each side.
- The French forces were led by the Comte de Rochambeau. Some of the American forces were led by Marquis de La Fayette, a French officer who became a Major General in the American army.
- The British Prime Minister, Lord Frederick North, resigned after the British defeat and surrender at Yorktown.
- The battle lasted around 20 days. The American and French had around 18,000 troops, significantly outnumbering the 8,000 troops of the British.
- The British leader, General Cornwallis, was expecting to get reinforcements from the British Navy. When the French defeated the British Navy and prevented them from sending help, Cornwallis knew he was going to lose the battle.
Evaluation
How will you be graded?
Since this is a two-part project, you will be recieveing two grades!
Part A: The Research
- Completed reseacher organizer with detailed information
Part B: The Graphic Novel / Booklet
- Completed graphic novel/booklet
- Quality of work. Make sure that I can read everything and it is not sloppy.
- Accurate historical information is used within the novel. Remember you cannot change historical facts!
Conclusion
When you have completed reading the passage and reccording your information, you may start an outline or rough draft of your graphic novel. The graphic novel will be done INDEPENDENTLY for a grade! I will also be grading your reseach organizer!