Mr. Sedivy's History
Historical Figures Architecture
 
 



 

Home

US Flag

Mr. Sedivy's
History Classes:









 

 

More Features:

Contents
Site Search
History QuotesHumor
Submit Links/Info
LinksWhat's New?
Shop for Stuff

 

 

 

Highlands Ranch High School - Mr. Sedivy
Highlands Ranch, Colorado


- World History -
Colonial America and
The American Revolution


The End of the American Revolution

Yorktown, Virginia
The British were surrounded by the Americans on land, and by the French in the ocean.

French Battle Plan
This French battle plan illustrates the siege of Yorktown and the naval blockade
that defeated the British in 1781. Click the plan for an enlargement.

France's Admiral de Grasse arrived in time to block a British fleet that was coming to rescue Lord Cornwallis from French and American land forces. On September 5, 1781, de Grasses's fleet moved out of Chesapeake Bay to face the attacking British ships. Realizing that the French blockade could not be broken, the British fleet sailed back to New York leaving Cornwallis' army with no choice but to surrender.

Ships at Chesapeake Bay
The siege at Chesapeake Bay

After the British surrendered, Cornwallis was so embarrassed that he sent his second in command, so Washington had to also send his second in command.

Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
The battle at Yorktown, 1781
French soldiers join Americans at the British base at Yorktown in October 1781.
Click to view the entire painting.

During the 20-day seige, 16,000 French and American soldiers closed in on the 8000-man British force. The redcoats surrendered on October 19, 1781.


The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris in 1783 formally ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent country. Great Britain granted the new nation all of its land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from Canada to Florida.

Marquis de Lafayette
Marquis de Lafayette

Marquis de Lafayette told the Americans to come help France some time. During the French Revolution, when he was going to be guillotined, the Americans went over and tried to persuade the French to not kill him. He had already been killed, but the French spared his wife.

Also, when the Americans arrived in France in WW I, General Pershing said,
"Lafayette, we are here."

Back to top of page


Colonial America
The First Settlers:
English Stock Companies, Pilgrims, Puritans

American Colonies:
New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the Carolinas, Georgia

Why Did They Bring Slaves?

Problems and War in Colonial America
The French and Indian War

The Stamp Act and Sugar Act,
The Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party

The American Revolution
Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere,
The Battle of Bunker Hill, the Continental Army

The Declaration of Independence

The Turning Point of the American Revolution

End of the American Revolution - Yorktown / Treaty of Paris

Benedict Arnold and His Pal, John André

Articles of Confederation, Constitution, the Bill of Rights


Historical Periods of
World History Class Study

| Prehistory | Mesopotamia & Phoenicians |
| Ancient Egypt | Greece | Rome |
| Medieval History | Renaissance and Reformation |
| Exploration | National Monarchies |
| The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment |
| Colonial America and American Revolution |
| The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era
|

 

   
 

Highlands Ranch High School 9375 South Cresthill Lane Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80126 303-471-7000

Mr. Sedivy's History Classes
| Colorado History | American Government | Advanced Placement Modern European History | Rise of Nation State England | World History |
| Home | Back to the top of page | Site Contents |