<P> Following British successes at Newport and Charleston, the North government had gained support in Parliament . However, the government's decision to allow Irish Catholics to enlist in the army was deeply unpopular, triggering a massive protest in London in 1780, culminating in widespread rioting . The riots were the most destructive in London's history, damaging the prestige of the government . On 25 November 1781, the situation worsened when news of the surrender at Yorktown arrived in London . Prime Minister Lord North is said to have repeatedly exclaimed; "Oh, God! It's all over!" King George III received the news with dignity, though later became depressed and considered abdication . The Whig opposition gained traction in Parliament, though a motion proposed on December 12 to end the war was defeated by only one vote . </P> <P> Lord Germain, who had overseen strategic matters in the war effort, was dismissed from office in early 1782 . Soon after, a no confidence motion in the Prime Minister was passed, forcing the resignation of North and leading to the collapse of his ministry . The Rockingham Whigs came to power soon after and began opening negotiations for peace . Prime Minister the Marquess of Rockingham died in office on 1 July 1782, and was succeeded by the Earl of Shelburne, forcing the resignations of prominent Whigs Edmund Burke and Charles James Fox, with whom Shelburne had an icy relationship . Shelburne was initially hesitant to granting full American independence, instead preferring the colonies accept Dominion status, though such intentions were never realized . </P> <P> Despite the defeats in America, the British still had 30,000 troops garrisoned there, occupying New York, Charleston and Savannah . Henry Clinton was recalled to London after the defeat at Yorktown, and departed America in March 1782 . He was replaced by Guy Carleton, who was under orders to suspend offensive operations in America . </P> <P> After hostilities with the Dutch began in late 1780, Britain had moved quickly, enforcing a blockade across the North Sea . Within weeks, the British had captured 200 Dutch merchantmen, and 300 more were holed up in foreign ports, though political turmoil within the Republic and peace negotiations by both sides helped keep conflict to a minimum . The majority of the Dutch public favored a military alliance with France against Britain, however, the Dutch Stadtholder impeded these efforts, hoping to secure an early peace . To restore diminishing trade a Dutch squadron under Johan Zoutman escorted a fleet of some 70 merchantmen from the Texel . Zoutman's ships were intercepted by Sir Hyde Parker, who engaged Zoutman at Dogger Bank on 5 August 1781 . Though the contest was tactically inconclusive, the Dutch fleet did not leave harbor again during the war, and their merchant fleet remained crippled . </P>

America gained independence from great britain in 1782