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Havana Women Raise 500K Pesos, Fund 1781 Yorktown Victory

7/4/2026

38 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In summer 1781 women in Havana raised 500,000 silver pesos that funded the Yorktown campaign.
Spanish official Francisco de Saavedra organized the appeal that prompted merchants, officials and wealthy citizens to contribute.
The silver entered a network linking Spain, France, Cuba and New Spain to support allied forces.
Yorktown surrender on October 19, 1781 ended combat and paved the way for the 1783 Treaty of Paris recognizing U.S. independence.

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Story summary

In summer 1781 women in Havana raised 500,000 silver pesos that funded the Yorktown campaign.
Spanish official Francisco de Saavedra organized the appeal that prompted merchants, officials and wealthy citizens to contribute.
The silver entered a network linking Spain, France, Cuba and New Spain to support allied forces.
Yorktown surrender on October 19, 1781 ended combat and paved the way for the 1783 Treaty of Paris recognizing U.S. independence.