The Battle of Yorktown, fought in 1781, was a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War that ultimately secured American independence from British rule. American and French forces, led by General George Washington, besieged the British army commanded by General Cornwallis. The successful siege was facilitated by French naval support, which prevented British reinforcements from reaching Yorktown. Cornwallis's surrender effectively ended major military operations in the colonies, leading to the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. The victory galvanized American morale and solidified the collaboration between American and French forces.