Exploros | American Victory

American Victory

Students learn about the final, Southern phase of the Revolutionary War, the last major battle in Yorktown, and the Treaty of Paris that brought an end to the war. They gather information from maps.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students learn about the final, Southern phase of the Revolutionary War, the last major battle in Yorktown, and the Treaty of Paris that brought an end to the war. They gather information from maps.

Objectives:

Describe the war in the south, including the American victory at Yorktown.
Describe the outcome of the Treaty of Paris.

In 1778, the tide finally started turning in the Revolutionary War in favor of the patriots. In this experience, you will learn about the final, Southern phase of the Revolutionary War, the last major battle in Yorktown, and the Treaty of Paris that brought an end to the war.

Objectives:

Describe the war in the south, including the American victory at Yorktown.
Describe the outcome of the Treaty of Paris.

A man in military uniform on a horse walks between two rows of military men

The Surrender of Cornwallis, painted by John Trumbull (1820)

When people use the phrase “turning point,” what do they mean? Review this timeline of turning points in the Revolutionary War.

Turn to a partner and discuss the reasons given in the timeline for considering each event a “turning point.” What do they have in common? Now discuss as a class how to define a “turning point.” Your teacher will assign a class note taker to record the class definition.

Lead a class discussion towards defining “turning point.” Assign a class note taker to record the class definition.

Class definition of “turning point.”

Post your answer

Possible definition: a time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, leading to a different outcome than previously seemed likely.

Try to suggest an example from some event that has happened within the school community, such as a student campaign for dress code or parking rights—what was the turning point that helped the campaign become a success?

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