During the American War of Independence, which British military commander surrendered to the combined American and French forces at Yorktown in 1781, effectively ending major fighting in the war?

Introduction / Context:
The surrender at Yorktown in 1781 is one of the most important events in the history of the American War of Independence. It marked the decisive defeat of British forces in North America and led directly to negotiations that recognized the independence of the United States. The British commander who surrendered there is a key figure in both British and American history. This question tests whether you can correctly identify that commander from among other famous British military leaders.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event is the surrender at Yorktown in 1781.
• The context is the American War of Independence.
• The question asks for the British commander who surrendered.
• The options list four British officers associated with different times and regions.

Concept / Approach:
To solve this, you must associate each name with his main historical role. Lord Cornwallis, or Charles Cornwallis, was the British general in command at Yorktown who surrendered his army to General George Washington and the French forces led by General Rochambeau. Lord Clive, or Robert Clive, is known for his role in British expansion in India, particularly the Battle of Plassey. The Duke of Wellington is famous for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. General Amherst is remembered for his campaigns in North America during the Seven Years War. Only Lord Cornwallis fits the description given in the question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key event: the surrender at Yorktown in 1781 during the American War of Independence.Step 2: Recall that this surrender involved a British army and that it effectively ended major fighting in the war.Step 3: Remember that General Lord Cornwallis was the British commander who surrendered to George Washington and his French allies at Yorktown.Step 4: Compare the roles of the other names: Lord Clive in India, the Duke of Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars, and General Amherst in the Seven Years War.Step 5: Choose Lord Cornwallis as the only option that matches the Yorktown surrender.

Verification / Alternative check:
Almost every history textbook on the American Revolution contains maps and paintings of the surrender at Yorktown, often captioned with the name Lord Cornwallis. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, confirmed American independence and followed that defeat. In contrast, Lord Clive is discussed in the context of the British conquest of Bengal, the Duke of Wellington in relation to the Battle of Waterloo, and General Amherst in earlier North American conflicts. This clear separation of contexts verifies that Lord Cornwallis is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lord Clive was a key figure in establishing British power in India, not a commander in the American War of Independence.
The Duke of Wellington became famous later for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo, long after the American War of Independence ended.
General Amherst served during the Seven Years War in North America and is not associated with the 1781 Yorktown surrender.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose the Duke of Wellington because his name is very prominent in discussions of British military history, even though his major battles belong to the Napoleonic era. Others may pick Lord Clive simply because they connect him with British colonial expansion in general. To avoid this, always tie each figure to a specific region and time period: Cornwallis with the American Revolution, Clive with India, Wellington with the Napoleonic Wars, and Amherst with mid eighteenth century North America. This mental classification helps keep such facts clear.

Final Answer:
The British commander who surrendered at Yorktown in 1781 was Lord Cornwallis.