The term “ Hessians ” refers to the approximately 30,000 German troops hired by the British to help fight during the American Revolution. They were principally drawn from the German state of Hesse-Cassel, although soldiers from other German states also saw action in America.
What was a result of King George's decision to hire German soldiers?
The value of money dropped tremendously. King George III hired German mercenaries to increase the strength of his army .
Did the German help the British in the Revolutionary War?
Ethnic Germans served on both sides of the American Revolutionary War . Many supported the Loyalist cause and served as allies of Great Britain, whose King George III was also the Elector of Hanover. Other Germans came to assist the rebelling American patriots, but most of the patriot Germans were colonists.
Why did the hiring of Hessians upset the colonists?
Colonists considered the British hiring the Hessians as an insult because the colonists are fighting for nationalism whereas the Hessians are just doing their job with no passion for the cause (following orders from the aristocracy).
Did Hessians hired German soldiers who fought for colonists?
Hessians were hired German soldiers who fought for the colonists/patriots. In the early years of the war, the size of the Continental Army dwindled largely because soldiers left as their year of service was completed. Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River and drove the enemy from Philadelphia.
What made the Hessians so feared?
Americans, both Revolutionaries and Loyalists, often feared the Hessians, believing them to be rapacious and brutal mercenaries . ... Throughout the war, Americans tried to entice Hessians to desert the British, emphasizing the large and prosperous German-American community.
How much did the Hessians get paid?
Most of the Hessians received no compensation for their services beyond their daily bread . It was the Prince of Hesse-Cassel, Frederick II, who made off like a bandit in his dealings with George III. He sold the services of 12,000 Hessians to the English at [sterling]7 4s. a head.
Did Germans fight in Revolutionary War?
Ethnic Germans served on both sides of the American Revolutionary War . Large numbers of Germans had emigrated to Pennsylvania, New York and other American colonies, and they were generally neutral or supported the Patriot cause.
How many Hessians chose to remain in America?
According to historian David Hackett Fischer, about 23 percent of the Hessians who survived the war remained in America. Other estimates go as high as 40 percent. A significant portion returned to America after the war with their families. “So it was not a bad ending for the Hessian prisoners,” Seabright says.
Why did the king hire soldiers from Germany?
In previ ous conflicts, German troops had been used to protect British interests from foreign threats, including especially militant Catholicism. This time, they were hired to fight against British subjects within the British Empire in a war that divided the country as never before.
Who was the leader of the German soldiers?
Organization of the High Command
Hitler occupied the top of the hierarchy. He was not just the Führer (Leader) of Germany, but also Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces (after February 1938) and Commander in Chief of the Army (after December, 1941).
What was the bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War?
It was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. Victory at Bunker Hill came at a terrible price for the British, with nearly half of the 2,200 Redcoats who entered the battle killed or wounded in just two hours of fighting. The patriots sustained over 400 casualties.
What was the nickname of British soldiers?
Due to their long redcoats, British soldiers were nicknamed “lobsters” and “bloody backs” by the colonists.
Who hired the Hessians?
The term “Hessians” refers to the approximately 30,000 German troops hired by the British to help fight during the American Revolution. They were principally drawn from the German state of Hesse-Cassel, although soldiers from other German states also saw action in America.
What happened at Valley Forge?
The six-month encampment of General George Washington's Continental Army at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778 was a major turning point in the American Revolutionary War . ... The defeats had led some members of the Continental Congress to want to replace Washington, believing he was incompetent.
Why are the Hessians important?
In addition to fighting in North America, German troops saw action in other parts of the British Empire, most notably Hanoverian troops at the Great Siege of Gibraltar. The “Hessians” are a critical part of the American Revolution , and understanding their history gives us a better understanding of the entire war.
