AMERICAN CRISIS

1776

1776 was not a good year for the American cause 6 weeks after the Declaration of

Independence was signed, Continental Army was defeated at Long Island

George Washington was forced to surrender New York City

The Continental Army was in retreat across New Jersey trying to escape into Pennsylvania

The British Plans

With New York secure, Britain prepares to launch the final assault on the rebel strongholds: 6,000 soldiers to attack Boston 10,000 to secure Western New York 8,000 to cross New Jersey and invade

Philadelphia, the capital Enlists Hessian (German) Mercenaries to help

carry out the attack

Britain’s strategy, if carried out, will end the war in 1777

The Continental Army

Soldiers desert Washington after the loss of New York The army dwindled to 5000 soldiers Many of their contracted enlistments were

up on New Year’s Day People question whether Washington is the

right man for the job Philadelphia was evacuated fearing the

impending British attack The whole revolution was on the verge of

collapse

American Crisis

Thomas Paine writes American Crisis to inspire the Continental Army to keep fighting

American 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 his country; but he that stands by it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” –Thomas Paine, American Crisis

One Last Shot

With his army collapsing, Washington risks everything on one final counterstrike The situation is so desperate, Washington knows

that he shouldn’t win, or possibly win… HE MUST WIN

Washington proposes a nighttime, sneak attack on the Hessian and British forces at Trenton, New Jersey He MUST change tactics because the

Continental Army will never win a head-on conflict with the British

European Strategy

Campaign Season was from April to October Between October and March the weather

was too poor to march or fight in Armies would make camp (called winter

quarters) to rest up, resupply, and train Start fighting again in the spring

Washington proposes to launch his attack on Christmas Day

Victory or Death

Failure is not an option: if they lose this battle, the war is over The army has to get across the Delaware River,

into New Jersey, and march to Trenton before sunrise

Washington orders “American Crisis” read to the army before they go

Washington’s final order before the start: “Victory or Death” 11:00 pm, Christmas Night, the first boats set

off…

Washington Crossing the Delaware River

Crossing the Delaware

The most famous painting of the Revolutionary War got it wrong

It was pitch black…below freezing…in the middle of a snowstorm No one stood up in the boat

The weather was so bad it took far longer to cross the river than Washington had planned For a few brief moments, he considered

turning back

The March to Trenton

December 26: the last soldier crosses the river at 3:00 AM Washington realizes he has no hope of

getting to Trenton under cover of darkness

4:00 AM: The Continental Army begins its nine mile march to Trenton

The Times that Try Men’s Souls

The Continentals marched waist deep through snow drifts

The gunpowder got wet, meaning they would have to fight hand-to-hand with bayonets

Many soldiers did not have boots or shoes Their feet started to bleed, turning the snow red as

they left bloody footprints Several soldiers developed frostbite Several more laid down in the snow and froze to

death from the extreme cold Washington encouraged his men to keep

marching

The Battle of Trenton

8:00 AM: The Continentals arrive at Trenton and surround the town Washington gives the command to open

fire The Hessians are caught completely off-

guard

By noon, Washington has his first major victory of the war in almost a year

The Turn of the Tide

The Continental victory at Trenton saved the American Revolution Enlistments started to go up Faith in Washington was restored The Continentals showed they could beat

the British regulars in a battle Washington learns to fight the war

using GUERILLA WARFARE: a hit-and-run defensive strategy that ensured the army would live to fight another day

Modern Warfare

The strategy for Great Britain is to force Washington into a single battle to end the war

The strategy for the Continentals is avoid, escape, and evade direct conflict at all costs Keep the army on the run and on the move Harass the British and cut off their supply lines Force Britain to spend so much time, money

and energy chasing that the stalemate forces them to negotiate

The Road Ahead

January 2, 1777: The Continentals score another decisive victory at Princeton, New Jersey

Washington now has a strategy to fight the British He does not have the money, manpower

or resources to carry it out And the biggest battles of the Revolution

are yet to come…