On December 25, 1776 George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey in a surprise attack on the British. They had a decisive victory that helped turn the war back to the American's favor.
Did George Washington lead a surprise attack?
On the night of December 25, 1776, General George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River. They launched a surprise attack on Hessian forces in New Jersey . ... The general is leading his troops in a surprise attack, an American flag waving above them.
What was Washington's surprise attack that lifted morale?
The Battle of Trenton was a small but pivotal American Revolutionary War battle that took place on the morning of December 26, 1776, in Trenton, New Jersey.
What was the outcome of George Washington?
During the American Revolution, he led the colonial forces to victory over the British and became a national hero. In 1787, he was elected president of the convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution .
What was the result of the Battle of Trenton?
General George Washington's army crossed the icy Delaware on Christmas Day 1776 and, over the course of the next 10 days, won two crucial battles of the American Revolution. In the Battle of Trenton (December 26), Washington defeated a formidable garrison of Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing .
Why was the attack on Trenton such a big surprise?
Washington's aim was to conduct a surprise attack upon a Hessian garrison of roughly 1,400 soldiers located in and around Trenton, New Jersey. Washington hoped that a quick victory at Trenton would bolster sagging morale in his army and encourage more men to join the ranks of the Continentals come the new year.
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.
Who was the biggest traitor in US history?
Benedict Arnold , the American general during the Revolutionary War who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word “traitor,” was born on January 14, 1741.
What was the greatest danger faced by American soldiers at Valley Forge?
Cold and starvation at Valley Forge were not even the most dangerous threats: diseases proved to be the biggest killer. As the National Park Service says, “Disease was the true scourge of the camp.” By the end of the six-month encampment, some 2,000 men—roughly one in six—died of disease.
How did George Washington led America to victory?
After crossing the icy Delaware River on Christmas Day 1776, Washington led his forces in an attack upon the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey . Washington's lightning attack surprised the Hessians and led to the capture of almost two-thirds of the 1,500 man force – at the cost of zero American combat casualties.
What was George Washington's greatest legacy?
As the first President of the United States, George Washington developed lasting traditions that helped shape the role of the executive branch . Washington knew he needed to establish an effective executive role, but also understood the importance of the sovereignty of the individual and limited government.
What did George Washington do for the economy?
He developed a fishery, distillery, a spinning house, and more. As commander-in-chief, he established management systems that saved the nation millions and engaged economic self-interest of civilians. He protected civilian private property. As president, he knew he could not command prosperity.
Who was the real first president?
When we think of the President of the United States, many people do not realize that we are actually referring to presidents elected under the U.S. Constitution. Everybody knows that the first president in that sense was George Washington .
Why is the Battle of Trenton so important?
The surprise victory at Trenton was important to the American cause for several reasons: For the first time, Washington's forces had defeated a regular army in the field . ... The victory sharply increased morale. New enlistments were stimulated and many of the current soldiers reenlisted.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Trenton quizlet?
Significance of the Battle of Trenton: The significance of the conflict was that the Hessian army was crushed in Washington's raid across the Delaware River and the Americans were invigorated by the easy defeat of the British Hessian forces.
Why was Princeton a different victory than Trenton?
Why was Princeton a different victory than Trenton? Trenton was defended by mercenaries and Princeton was defended by British regulars . ... It was the final victory for the Americans.
