Chapter 6 Section 2 “A Critical Time”

Retreat From New York Washington knew that the British would invade, he just didn’t know where. He spread his 20,000 throughout New York hoping to stop the invasion. He failed with terrible results. Throughout the next several months, the British drove Washington’s army completely out of NY and NJ, forcing what is left of Washington’s army across the Delaware River into PA.

Nathan Hale Hale volunteered for a spy mission in the British held New York. He was captured by the British. When asked if he had any last words before execution Hale reportedly said “ I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Surprises for the British After being pushed out of NY, Washington winter camp in PA. His force of 20,000 men had dwindled down to about 2500. Knowing that he needed to make something happen, he came up with a crazy plan. Washington decided to cross the freezing Delaware River on Christmas night and attack the Hessians at Trenton, NJ. If his plan failed, this would be the end of the war. Washington and his men successfully defeated the Hessians and won their first battle of the war. He immediately went on to attack Princeton, NJ before fleeing back to the safety of PA.

Saratoga: A Turning Point At this point in the war, the Americans had a couple of small victories, but they really need a big one to prove to the rest of the world that they are capable of winning the war. They will get a big victory at the Battle of Saratoga. The British had split their forces into three groups and began moving them through the northeast. The Americans took advantage of this by using a small force to slow down two of the groups and then using a larger force to attack one of the groups at Saratoga, New York. This ultimate importance of this victory is that the French, who hated the British, decided to become our ally in the Revolution.

Help From Overseas France Will become our main ally in the war. Soldiers Weapons Money Leaders like Lafayette Navy

Marquis de Lafayette Young French nobleman Became very good friends with Washington Became a general in the American army.

Thaddeus Kosciusko From Poland An engineer who helped design forts for the Americans

Casimir Pulaski From Poland Trained the American Calvary

Baron Friedrich von Steuben German soldier Widely thought of as the first American drill sergeant. Today’s military training is based on his principles.

Valley Forge, PA During the winter of 1777-1778, the Americans took winter quarters at Valley Forge, PA That year was the worst winter in PA in recorded history. Washington’s men were not prepared for the bitter cold. Many deserted, and many others died of hypothermia or severe frostbite. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”