What significant event marked the end of significant fighting in the American Revolutionary War?

The Battle of Yorktown is recognized as the decisive event that effectively marked the end of significant fighting in the American Revolutionary War. This battle took place in 1781 when American forces, alongside their French allies, laid siege to British General Cornwallis and his troops. The successful siege culminated in Cornwallis's surrender on October 19, 1781, which not only dealt a severe blow to the British military presence in the colonies but also signaled a turning point towards eventual peace negotiations.

The importance of Yorktown lies not just in its immediate military outcome; it represented the culmination of years of struggle and the realization that Britain could no longer maintain its grip on the American colonies. Following this defeat, Britain began to take serious steps toward peace negotiations, eventually leading to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which officially recognized American independence.

In contrast, the other battles mentioned, such as the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Saratoga, were significant in their own right but did not lead to the finality of fighting in the war. The Battle of Gettysburg is noteworthy in the context of the Civil War but is unrelated to the Revolutionary War. Therefore, the Battle of Yorktown stands out as the correct answer due to its