Week 13: Siege and Surrender at Yorktown


Surrender of Lord Cornwallis by John Trumbull, 1820


We made it through the American Revolutionary War! I hope you all have grown to appreciate this part of our nation's history. We've learned a lot about many of our courageous and noble ancestors who were inspired by God to fight and sacrifice much to create this great country. I hope that, over this last semester, you have begun to understand what freedom and liberty really means, as well as the great blessing and responsibility that comes with just being an American citizen.

This week, we went over the siege at Yorktown: the battle that effectively ended the Revolutionary War. Things came together so well for the Americans that fateful October of 1781, that it would be negligent for one to dismiss the obvious hand of providence that guided us to such a definitive victory! Though much of the fighting ceased after Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown, the War wasn't formally ended until nearly two years later, on September 3rd, 1783, when Americans John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay signed the Treaty of Paris, along with representatives from France, England and Spain. With the signing of the treaty, the United States could finally and officially "assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle[d] them." The treaty also increased the geographic size of the country, as England and Spain ceded some of their territories to America. Yes, this was a glorious time for our new nation, but as we'll see in the next few months, the real struggle was only just beginning...

Please watch this short video about the Treaty of Paris:



ASSIGNMENTS:

AWARD REQUIREMENTS: Next week will be the last week to pass off first semester requirements (except the Declaration of Independence and the Heritage Award) so please use this week to finish things up that you've been working on. We'll start working on second semester material on Thursday, which means a whole new set of award requirements and ribbons!

WRITING: Congratulations to everyone for completing at least 9 writing assignments! I'm proud to say that each of you earned your ribbon for this requirement--and you set the all-time record for all of my Key of Liberty classes! Well-done!

READING: Finish reading The Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund. Our discussion will be on February 10th, led by Miah and Braeden, so be prepared with WRITTEN notes/comments/questions to share in the discussion. You will be scored on your preparation. No notes = No treats!

***Thank you to Miah and Liam for your presentations on 18th Century clothing and spies. You both shared a lot of very interesting information! Well-done!***


CANDY TRIVIA:

At the surrender at Yorktown, why did George Washington refuse to take General Cornwallis' sword, and who took it in Washington's place?

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