Battles You Should Know

YORKTOWN – October, 1781

Last major battle of the Revolutionary War

France cut off Cornwallis' escape route

Washington led American and French troops in a siege operation

After the surrender, the British parliament switched parties and voted to end military operations in America, even though they still controlled several major cities.

ALAMO – March, 1836

Mexican army destroys a garrison of Texans and their American allies.

After the defeat, American volunteers rallied to the Texan cause, eventually winning Texas independence from Mexico.

GETTYSBURG – July, 1863

Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania, designed to force Union troops to defend home territory and ease the siege of Vicksburg, MS.

Union victory convinced Britain and France not to enter the war on the Confederate side.

Confederacy “plays defense” the rest of the war.

PEARL HARBOR – December, 1941

Japan simultaneously declares war and bombs the US Pacific fleet.

Brought the US into World War II by virtue of Japan's alliance with Germany and Italy.

D-DAY – June, 1944

US and Allied forces invade France from the sea.

Failure to repel thee? invasion was the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

9/11 – September, 2001

19 terrorists hijack 4 American commercial planes and crash them, destroying the World Trade Center and damaging the Pentagon.

Attacks trigger first major US military response to Al-Qaeda terror network.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Of the 6 battles on this list, which one was the most important for the US to win?
2. Is there a battle that isn't on the list that made a bigger impact on American History?
3. What was the biggest mistake made by the losing side in a battle that they should have seen ahead of time?