American Revolutionary War Practice Test

Yorktown shows a turning point in how the war in America was shaping Britain's plans. The surrender of Cornwallis and the combined American-French strategy demonstrated that Britain could not win a quick, decisive victory in the colonies. This defeat undermined British political will to continue costly fighting there and pushed London toward negotiations. The result was the start of the peace process that produced the Treaty of Paris in 1783, recognizing American independence and setting new borders. Fighting did not stop all at once, but the campaign’s outcome directly led Britain to seek a negotiated settlement rather than launch another major offensive.