How did the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution lead to the eventual surrender of General Cornwallis and the British troops at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781? Objective How did the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution lead to the eventual surrender of General Cornwallis and the British troops at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781? Background The American Revolution in the North had become static and by 1780 the British decided to focus their efforts on utilizing the support of Loyalist in the South, and re-establish royal colonies. The Southern Campaign began with the British siege of Cha Duration: 90 Minutes.