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Homework Help: Social Studies: U.S. History: Washington Crossing Delaware
by Justin Baker
The event, Washington Crossing Delaware, is a revolutionary event in the American Revolution that aided in winning the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War was fought between the thirteen colonies and Great Britain. The war lasted from 1775-1783. This event, the crossing, helped revolutionize our government by flickering hopes in the spirits of brave men to fight for this great country. The battle of Trenton, gave many of those brave men to fight for this revolution. They finally won after many more battles. This led to the Treaty of Paris, which meant that the British were going to have to leave America and America would become their own separate nation. That allowed us to have our own government. The Americans had refused to obey many laws that Great Britain had passed by 1775, such as excessive taxes. This was a beginning of the Revolutionary war. Many American lives were lost and their hope for the revolution was low because they had lost many battles against the Britain. The victory at Trenton inspired many colonists to fight for the revolution. At times Washington sparked hope in his despairing soldiers by telling speeches such as this one, "My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than could reasonably be expected; but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses, and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and will consent to stay only one month longer, you will render that service to the cause of liberty, and to your country, which you probably never can do under any other circumstances. The present is emphatically the crisis, which is to decide our destiny " (McPhillips, Martin Pg. 40). Washington crossing the Delaware is an event in the American Revolution that sparked many hopes in patriots' heart to fight for their land and for their government.
The flames of war between the thirteen colonies ignited once Britain declared numerous, unnecessary taxes on the colonist such as taxes on tea, sugar, etcÉ Britain had been reinforcing new laws regarding to tax. The first act against the Americans was called the Sugar Act, which taxed anything that contained or dealt with sugar. This act affected businesses that made rum. People protested everywhere. A great speaker Patrick Henry arose in front of the Virginia's House of Burgesses saying that no colonies will accept "taxation without representation" (McPhillips, Martin Pg. 12). As more acts were declared, many of the colonists in towns protested. The first offensive attack was the Boston Massacre, which led to the Lexington and Concord attack. On June 15th the Congress voted George Washington to be the commander in chief of the Continental Army. Two days later the British won the Battle of Bunker Hill. Many battles were lost. The Continental Congress had a much smaller amount of military forces and was often times outnumbered by the British forces. America declared its freedom by signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
When winter came in 1776, the hope for fighting for independence vanished. Many men left Washington because they thought his plans were foolish. He had a very trustworthy army on the night they crossed the Delaware River. They had hope in their leader George Washington. George Washington planned to attack Trenton on Christmas night. Many thought this plan was crazy, others were going to fight with George Washington to the end. They were the most reliable army that Washington had ever had. Most of Washington's men were injured, starving and cold. It was Christmas; snow covered the land as if it was a blanket. That night George Washington and his troops crossed the river.
The British and Hessians were known to be the best military force around the world. George Washington knew that this was the perfect chance to win a battle. Washington was a very cunning man. Washington knew that Christmas was a very important time of the year for Hessians. So they would party heavily and stay up late. They would get drunk and would be very tired. The Hessians were not ready to fight. George Washington took this to his advantage and planned the "Delaware Crossing". On the night of December 25, 1776 George Washington planned to cross the Delaware River with his 2000 troops at night. One of Washington's aid recorded how Trenton was taken: "They make a great deal of Christmas in Germany, and no doubt the Hessians will drink a great deal of beer and have a dance to night. They will be sleepy tomorrowÉ"(Meltzer, Milton history in their own words, pg. 102) He did it at night so that he and his soldiers would not be spotted. The Hessians least suspected this attack because of the terrible storm, cold and snow plus it was Christmas. No one would fight on Christmas. Especially crossing the icy Delaware River at night. It was hard enough in the morning, which meant it was very difficult at night. Washington planned to cross the Delaware River with his troops (about 2000 men) and intended to attack at 8:00 sharp. (McPhillips, Martin Pg. 35) Right before they started crossing the river Washington started reading this message from the crisis, " These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."(Meltzer, Milton history in their own words, pg. 102). They boarded the boats one by one. When all his troops were over the river, they split up into two groups. Washington's right hand man, Nathaniel Greene, would lead his groups of men into the streets of Trenton and Washington would lead his group of men to the Scotch Road. Many were very tired and injured and wanted to rest, But their leader George Washington said "Press on, press on, boys!" (McPhillips, Martin Pg. 35) They would arrive at Trenton at 8:00. Many of Washington's men feared that their weapons would be ineffective because their gunpowder were wet. George Washington responded by saying, "Use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton" (McPhillips, Martin Pg. 35). Bewilderment filled the minds of Hessians soldiers as they woke up. Washington's soldiers had advanced in their city and were attacking, knocking down doors, and windows. Hessians fought for their lives, tired and a bit drunk from the party they had the night before. General Rall rode throughout Trenton shouting to his troops, "My brave soldiers, advance!" (Meltzer, Milton history in their own words, pg. 105). Washington men recorded "His men were frightened and confused, for our men were firing upon them from fences and houses and they were falling fast. Instead of advancing they ran into an apple orchardÉ" (Meltzer, Milton history in their own words, pg. 105). The British force soon became conquerable and soon lost the war.
This was a surprise attack on Trenton and it marked the beginning of the end of the revolutionary war. The battle of Trenton lasted about 45 min. Many Hessians were unable to fight. They were tired, drunk and unarmed. The Americans have won the battle of Trenton. They had captured over 900 Hessians and killed over 100 (McPhillips, Martin, Pg. 1). Americans only suffered two wounded men and three killed men (McPhillips, Martin, Pg. 1). The war was not over yet over but it was soon to come. The victory of the battle of Trenton gave courage and hope to people that lived in America. This revolution made people have hope in their army and country. Many people were inspired that they were going to fight for this revolution. This made the Continental Army stronger. The Continental Army had beaten the British troops several times. The Continental Army had raised so many troops that British soldiers were convinced that they weren't strong enough to beat the Americans, plus they lost many battles after. The Americans won the last battle called the battle of York towns. The British had finally agreed on a compromise. This compromise was called the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris made British leave and also said that the British must respect the America's independence so that they wouldn't question it again.
This revolution affected all the people that were involved in this war. This war was very costly for the Britain. Soldiers cost money to hire, train, feed, and cloth. If they lose men then they would have to hire more men. They lost many battles, which meant losing men. This fight wasn't worth it for them. They lost many battles and realized that it was very costly. British troops were convinced that the American troops were getting too much power. People were signing up to fight for the revolution and the Americans were winning. Fighting the Americans made British force lose hope in fighting. The British force had no hope in fighting. They fought if they had to because they were forced to. For the Americans it had been a conquering victory. When revolutionary war ended, Britain signed the Treaty Of Paris in September 1783, which meant United States was a separate nation and that Americans had their own government. The British would have to leave and had to respect America's government. In return the Americans had to give Loyalist back their land. Things didn't turn out for Loyalist. Most were treated badly wherever they went and did.
This well planned fight helped us in winning revolutionary war. This revolution would have ended if Washington and his troops waited for the Hessians to attack. This is because when the water froze up and turned into ice, Britain and Hessians force would unite and would overpower the Americans. There was nothing to lose. They were already losing the revolution its might as well fight until death. The British army and Hessian army had an overwhelming number of troops over that will overcome the Americans. Washington's great ideas assisted in revolutionizing our government. Our government today knows, as the Federal Government is very effective in many ways. Our government power is divided into three branches which is better than having a monarchy. A king would have owned this land if this crossing wasn't made. This government is so regimented that the United States of America still uses this form of government today.
Washington's crossing led to the beginning of a new nation. The revolutionary war between Great Britain and the United States was over after the battle of Yorktown. The government started to evolve our nation began to grow. The remembrance of this event will live on in history forever as our nation gets stronger and stronger every day. Washington was one of those few men in history that revolutionize America foremost. The patriots that fought in this war will always be remembered for their help in this revolution. The brave man who had helped many patriots continue to fight in this revolution risked everything he had, his family, troops etcÉ died in peace knowing that he had done America great things and that he had set the tracks for a better nation.
Homework Help: Social Studies: U.S. History
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