During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington
crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a
Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton,
New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of
substantial defeats for Washington’s army that had resulted in the loss
of New York City and other strategic points in the region.
At
about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s army commenced its crossing of
the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by
Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached
the New Jersey side of the Delaware just before dawn. The other two
divisions, made up of some 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to
reach the meeting point at the appointed time.
At approximately 8
a.m. on the morning of December 26, Washington’s remaining force,
separated into two columns, reached the outskirts of Trenton and
descended on the unsuspecting Hessians. Trenton’s 1,400 Hessian
defenders were groggy from the previous evening’s festivities and
underestimated the Patriot threat after months of decisive British
victories throughout New York. Washington’s men quickly overwhelmed the
Germans’ defenses, and by 9:30 a.m. the town was surrounded. Although
several hundred Hessians escaped, nearly 1,000 were captured at the cost
of only four American lives. However, because most of Washington’s army
had failed to cross the Delaware, he was without adequate artillery or
men and was forced to withdraw from the town.
The victory was not
particularly significant from a strategic point of view, but news of
Washington’s initiative raised the spirits of the American colonists,
who previously feared that the Continental Army was incapable of
victory.
Out of all of them, Switzerland would be the one that was neutral.
It crease to exist because he was meant to be born in this world.
Some of the similarities between the two revolutions were:
- Both revolutions began due to the ideas of Enlightenment.
- Many of their objectives were similar: freedom, equality, the end of tyranny, the rule of law, etc.
- Both desired a republican, democratic government.
- Both inspired many political changes across the world.
However, they were also significantly different:
- The United States was fighting against a different country (England), while France engaged in a civil war. This led to deeper divisions within French society.
- The United States already had a more egalitarian system, while French social classes were extremely rigid. Therefore, long-lasting change was more difficult to achieve.
- The United States was successful in remaining democratic and republican, while France struggled with various regime changes.
- The post-war period was relatively peaceful in America, while it was extremely bloody and violent in France.
