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American Revolution. 1777 The British Strike Back. How We Got Here. Battle of Trenton—Xmas ‘76. On the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to attack the British and Hessian mercenaries.
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American Revolution 1777 The British Strike Back
Battle of Trenton—Xmas ‘76 • On the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to attack the British and Hessian mercenaries. • Washington’s troops marched 9 miles in the early morning hours to reach Trenton at 8AM. • The American troops surprised the Hessian mercenary soldiers captured nearly 1000 men. There were no American casualties.
Who are the Hessians? • Hessians are soldiers from Germany. King George hired these soldiers to fight the colonists.
Stripes and Bright Stars • Betsy Ross made the first American flag • June 14, 1777—Flag Day
Fort Ticonderoga • May 1775—Col. BenedictArnold and Ethan Allen with his Green Mountain Boys led a surprise attack on the British fort • July 5, 1777— John Burgoyne & the British force Americans to surrender the fort
British PlanThree-Pronged Attack • Cut Middle Colonies off from NE Colonies • Sept. 11, 1777—Howe, the British General who chased Washington out of NY, defeated Washington again at Brandywine, PA • Sept. 26, 1777—Howe, captured American capital @ Philadelphia • American government flees • Oct. 4, 1777—Howe defeats Washington @ Germantown, PA • Washington winters @ Valley Forge… Brrr!
Turning Point of the War! • Burgoyne’s Blunder • Traveled slowly • Defeated by Green Mountain Boys @Bennington, VT • Retreats to Saratoga to await reinforcements that never arrive • Oct. 17, 1777— American Gen. Horatio Gates defeats Burgoyne & the British @ Saratoga • Burgoyne & 5700 British troops surrender • France decides to help America
Valley Forge • Washington spent the winter @ Valley Forge, PA • About 2500 troops died; 2000 deserted the Continental Army • Marquis de Lafayette (France) & Friedrich von Steuben (Germany) helped train the Americans through the winter “These are the times that try men’s souls…”
Washington’s Winter Troubles • End of 1776 • Washington is being chased by Howe & Cornwallis • What’d he do: Crosses the Delaware, wins @ Trenton & Princeton • End of 1777 • Barely survives winter @ Valley Forge • What’d he do: Encouraged his troops with the news of France joining the fight
