The Siege of Yorktown ended with the surrender of a British army under Lord Cornwallis to combined American and French forces. George Washington's army, together with French troops and naval support, trapped Cornwallis and compelled capitulation.

Yorktown was decisive because it effectively ended major fighting in the American Revolution and convinced Britain that the war could not be won at acceptable cost. It was a triumph of allied strategy and coordination.

Why It Matters

• Effectively ended the American Revolutionary War
• Showcased successful Franco-American cooperation
• Led directly toward American independence

Reference:

Wikipedia: Siege of Yorktown

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown