A Printer's Letter from the Long War

Read one witness's account of people and events that helped the colonies win independence.

Answer Key

Read the letter

Read the letter. Then answer the questions using details from the text.

Philadelphia, November 3, 1781

Dear Samuel, I wish you could have seen the excitement in our print shop when news arrived from Virginia. General George Washington and the French commander, the Comte de Rochambeau, had forced the British army under General Charles Cornwallis to surrender at Yorktown on October 19. The victory was important, but our elders remind us that the war is not yet a signed peace.

People here have argued about how the struggle reached this point. In 1777, American troops defeated a British army at Saratoga in New York. That victory helped persuade France that the American cause could succeed. In 1778, France became an ally of the United States. French soldiers, weapons, clothing, money, and ships then supported the American effort.

The Continental Army also needed time and training. During the difficult winter of 1777–1778 at Valley Forge, many soldiers lacked supplies, yet the army remained together. Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben helped train the soldiers in drills and discipline. Their preparation made them a stronger fighting force.

At Yorktown, Washington and Rochambeau led American and French troops in a siege of Cornwallis's army. The French fleet led by Admiral de Grasse controlled the Chesapeake Bay, keeping British ships from bringing Cornwallis the help he needed or carrying his army away. Land forces pressed from one side while the fleet blocked escape by sea.

Our victory came from connected efforts rather than from one person's work. Soldiers trained, commanders planned, French allies supplied troops and ships, and diplomats worked to keep support for the American cause. Even now, some fighting goes on, and diplomats must still work out a peace. When a treaty recognizes the independence of the United States, I will print that news with a very glad heart. (Historical note: Fighting and negotiations continued after Yorktown. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 recognized the independence of the United States.)

According to the letter, what made the victory at Yorktown possible?

A. The British army received new ships from France.
B. Allied land forces and a French fleet worked together.
C. The Continental Army fought without any outside support.
D. American diplomats ended the war before the siege began.

Use the letter to complete the sentence.

Word bank: Saratoga · Yorktown · Valley Forge · Philadelphia

The American victory that helped persuade France to become an ally was at Saratoga.

Underline the sentence that best shows that France helped the American cause in several ways.

That victory helped persuade France that the American cause could succeed.In 1778, France became an ally of the United States.French soldiers, weapons, clothing, money, and ships then supported the American effort.People here have argued about how the struggle reached this point.

Why was the American victory at Saratoga important beyond that single battle?

A. It convinced France that the American cause might succeed.
B. It ended all fighting between Britain and the colonies.
C. It gave Cornwallis control of the Chesapeake Bay.
D. It caused the Treaty of Paris to be signed that year.

What contribution did Baron von Steuben make during the winter at Valley Forge?

A. He negotiated the peace treaty with British leaders.
B. He commanded the French fleet in the Chesapeake Bay.
C. He trained Continental soldiers in drills and discipline.
D. He led the British army during the siege of Yorktown.

Connect the contributions

Think about the different kinds of help described in the letter.

Complete the sentence with a word from the word bank.

Word bank: fleet · army · Congress · printing shop

Admiral de Grasse led the French fleet that controlled the Chesapeake Bay.

Sort each example by the kind of contribution it describes.

Von Steuben taught soldiers drills and discipline.France sent weapons, money, and clothing.American troops defeated a British army at Saratoga.The Continental Army remained together through the winter at Valley Forge.France became an ally of the United States in 1778.

Preparation and training	French alliance and aid	Action in battle
Von Steuben taught soldiers drills and discipline. The Continental Army remained together through the winter at Valley Forge.	France sent weapons, money, and clothing. France became an ally of the United States in 1778.	American troops defeated a British army at Saratoga.

Why did control of the Chesapeake Bay matter to Cornwallis at Yorktown?

A. It allowed British ships to bring Cornwallis extra soldiers.
B. It gave Cornwallis a route to leave before the siege began.
C. It stopped American troops from reaching the British position.
D. It limited British help and made escape by sea difficult.

Underline the detail that best supports the claim that the American victory depended on cooperation.

I wish you could have seen the excitement in our print shop when news arrived from Virginia.The victory was important, but our elders remind us that the war is not yet a signed peace.People here have argued about how the struggle reached this point.Land forces pressed from one side while the fleet blocked escape by sea.

10.

What can a reader infer from the passage's statement that fighting and negotiations continued after Yorktown?

A. Yorktown weakened the British position but did not finish the whole process.
B. Yorktown had no effect on the course of the war.
C. The colonies returned to British rule after the surrender.
D. The French alliance ended before the surrender took place.

From victory to independence

Use the letter's details to explain how independence was achieved.

11.

Complete the sentence using the final paragraph.

Word bank: 1776 · 1777 · 1781 · 1783

The Treaty of Paris in 1783 recognized the independence of the United States.

12.

What was the importance of the Treaty of Paris according to the passage?

A. It brought France into the war against Britain.
B. It officially recognized that the United States was independent.
C. It trained soldiers at Valley Forge for another winter.
D. It placed Washington in command of the French navy.

13.

Which person-and-contribution pair is supported by the letter?

A. George Washington led American and French troops at Yorktown.
B. Charles Cornwallis trained the Continental Army at Valley Forge.
C. Baron von Steuben commanded the French fleet in the Chesapeake.
D. Admiral de Grasse negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

14.

Explain how events from Saratoga to Yorktown helped the colonies move toward independence. Use at least three details from the letter and connect them in your explanation.

The American victory at Saratoga helped persuade France to become an ally. France then sent soldiers, supplies, and ships. At Valley Forge, von Steuben trained the Continental Army, making it stronger. Later, Washington and Rochambeau led allied troops at Yorktown while de Grasse's fleet blocked British help and escape. These connected efforts led to a major victory.

15.

The letter says that Yorktown was important but was not the same as a signed peace. Explain how a military victory became recognized independence. Use evidence from the passage.

Yorktown forced Cornwallis's army to surrender and weakened Britain's ability to continue the war, but fighting and negotiations continued afterward. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 formally recognized the independence of the United States, so the military victory and the later peace agreement played different parts.