The role of the French fleet in the Battle of Yorktown was to blockade British reinforcements.

The French fleet was pivotal in the Battle of Yorktown by obstructing British reinforcements. In 1781, this naval blockade successfully kept British vessels from reaching General Cornwallis’s troops, thereby severing vital supplies and reinforcements. By confining Cornwallis at Yorktown, the French navy greatly bolstered the joint siege operations of American and French forces under General George Washington. This strategic blockade not only underscored the significance of naval power in military conflicts but also demonstrated the effectiveness of international alliances during the American Revolutionary War. Ultimately, the actions of the French fleet were crucial in securing American independence.