This naval action definitely shortened the war as it took Cornwallis and his army off of the table. If he had been reinforced or evacuated, the Revolutionary War might have gone on with that army being reinforced with new leaders.
And the world turn’d upside down...
Pretty amazing.
This single naval battle really led in short order to American victory in the war.
I used to haunt old bookstores for used American Revolution books. One of my favorites I discovered 25 years ago is “Decision at the Chesapeake,” 1964, by by Harold Atkins Larrabee. There is a used hardcover copy on Amazon for $8.97. I thought it was excellent and it was the first time I understood how crucial this battle was.
The Battle of the Virginia Capes: one of the most crucial victories in American history, thanks to our French allies!!! Admiral DeGrasse administered the coup de........oh, you know.......to the British.
There is a statue of de Grasse at the waterfront in Yorktown.
It may be the last time the French did something good for the United States. But it was a big one.