what was the make british general charles cornwallis made that ultimately caused his defeat

He retreated to Yorktown where he was trapped.

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Did you know?

Did you know that British General Charles Cornwallis made a critical mistake during the American Revolutionary War, which ultimately led to his defeat? As the commander of the British forces, Cornwallis decided to occupy the strategic port city of Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. Little did he know that this decision would prove disastrous for his troops. The French fleet, led by Admiral de Grasse, arrived in the Chesapeake Bay, effectively cutting off Cornwallis from receiving reinforcements or supplies. Meanwhile, American General George Washington, along with French General Rochambeau, laid siege to Yorktown. After weeks of intense fighting, Cornwallis was forced to surrender his entire army, making this strategic blunder the turning point in the war. The victory at Yorktown galvanized the American cause and encouraged other countries to support the colonies, ultimately leading to American independence.