It was a cold winter in Pennsylvania during the year 1776. The Continental army retreated as the Hessians came down from Canada. The state of the Continental army was in bad shape. They were low on many supplies such as blankets, shoes, clothes, weapons, and food. Also cold and sick, the army needed boats to get across the Delaware river and into New Jersey. They used boats from local fishermen, who were not that happy about the army taking their boats. After a day they crossed the river, frostbitten and in poor condition, with low spirits. Just six months earlier the Declaration of Independence was signed. They were in need of funds to pay for the soldiers’ enlistments, which were due to expire at the end of the month. The Hessians felt victory at their fingertips, even trying to get Washington to give up and sign a document of surrender. Washington shows leadership qualities until the end. …show more content…
He never gave up when times were tough. They were trying to get Washington to surrender his small army, but he didn’t give up there. Instead, he formed a strategic plan to surprise the Hessians on Christmas when they were still sleeping the celebration off. There wasn’t a lot of time to make a plan in the first place because of the American troops’ enlistments ending at the end of the month. So Washington was quick thinking and strategic. Even when other people thought that the plan was foolish, Washington asserted his position as a general. Also, he cared about the troops. They were suffering from sickness, food shortages, clothing shortages, and the cold winter weather. Washington wrote a letter to Congress expressing his concerns and requesting funds for them. He takes chances, and this time, it payed off. His leadership skills from the years of experience definitely paved the way to
Even though Washington was used to commanding a small militia, he had an excellent strategy. His first move was to occupy Dorchester Heights where he brought supplies from Fort Ticonderoga and forced the British to evacuate Boston. Throughout the war for Independence, Washington continued to use his excellent strategies. His strategies he used on the Hessians in Trenton was the surprise attack. Most of the battles he fought, he planned out very well. He failed sometimes but that didn’t stop him from fighting. Washington was well organized, paid attention to details, and required hard work and effort from his troops. During every war Washington would visit his home ten times, he stayed in Valley Forge. During the wars he would also write letters to help his army by giving cattle to his army to feed them. Then, The Treaty of Paris ended the war for Independence and started The Revolutionary War.June of 1775, Congress ordered General Washington to lead the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. During the Revolution Washington suffered more lost battles than he won.
While simultaneously staving off calls by the Continental Congress for his relief, Washington surprised the British with an ambush during the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Washington’s aggressive initiative galvanized his army and unified the American people. From these victories, Washington “realized that his army – not any individual city or state – was the key to victory, and he now appreciated the unique strengths of his soldiers.” Washington used the winter to rebuild his army by seeking longer term enlistments, focusing training on manual of drill, integrating militia, and accepting foreign engineers to assist in building fortifications. The adjustments Washington made to his army are examples of how he persevered through defeat and failure and established his competence as a commander. Washington’s tenacity to succeed earned the trust of his army and the American
The Battle of Trenton persuaded men to reenlist so Washington would still have an army in the new year. Washington planned on surprising the British in Princeton, but decided to wait considering Ewing and Caldwalader never made it across the river. A week later, on January 3, 1777 Washington recrossed the Delaware River with his troop into Princeton. The battle lasted less than an hour, but around one hundred British men were killed or wounded and they captured two hundred. The Americans only suffered forty casualties (Dupuy 83-84). These two wins boosted the patriot’s morale and helped Washington rise back to the top as a military commander (Murphy). These two victories also convinced America that the war was not over yet, there was still hope. Overall winning these battles created a spark of hope and a wave of electricity. There were many battles Washington led, but
It is no doubt Washington was a powerful military strategist. He turned the tides of battle by deciding to carry out unorthodox attack options, such as taking the Delaware River for a surprise attack that ended up deciding the war (Source 2, ¶ 5). Before he was a great political leader, he learned the art of war by doing while serving in the French and Indian war. The sheer respect that he earned was rewarded with the title commander in chief of the American Army. His surprise attack across the Delaware River is thought to be the turning point of the war and many grand paintings have been drawn because
The Battle of New York would soon prove to be a disaster. It was Washington's first command on a large scale battle. He and his general officers had not only failed, but they looked like fools from the British point of view. After the battle, troops began to run away in fear. Even Washington's closest friend, Joseph Reed, began plotting behind his back. Washington suffered another bitter defeat at Fort Washington, N.Y. The colonists were intimidated, and surrendered Fort Washington. It was a severe blow to the colonists, 2000 were taken prisoner, 59 killed, 146 cannons lost to the British and Hessians in a matter of hours. It was a humiliating blow. During one particularly disastrous skirmish with the British, Washington saw his own troops fleeing from the enemy, and they were refusing to obey orders. Washington threw his hat on the ground in disgust. And
The “forgotten man” refers to the working class of America and they helped FDR win the presidency by voting for him in the election because FDR was proposing new deals that appealed to the working class.
George Washington had not one day respite. What was thought to be the road to independence turned out to be more like the path straight to hell. Americans all around were turning against one another. Five states threatened to secede, American commerce was being destroyed by British blockades, and fires left parts of New York City is ashes while the government was back in Philadelphia helpless without money or power. Since they were without money, the Army was left without any pay which meant the troops were in tatters. Troops in Pennsylvania and New Jersey refused to obey orders, but then they were promised compensations so they followed Washington to Virginia to fight in the last battle of the American Revolution. Washington then left Major General Nathanael Greene to command the forces to defend the Hudson River Valley. For months they remained there loyally without pay, food or proper clothing. Finally, an appeal was made to the states saying “Officers and Men have been almost perishing for want,” but the states were just as bankrupt as
“On Christmas night, in a blizzard, he leads his men across the ice‐flecked Delaware River to Trenton, NJ, surprises a drunken Hessian garrison, and seizes Trenton for a time. Washington slips away to Princeton, where he strikes the British rear. Leading the attack on his horse, he shouted: “Parade with me, my brave fellows!” And when the British lines break, he leads the charge with another shout: “It is a fine fox chase, my boys!” (Timeline of George Washington) The Battle of Trenton was a beautifully won battle and Washington was the one to lead it. This was a major example of Washington’s skills as an effective leader. Using the Delaware river was a risky move, but Washington was determined to get to Trenton. Reflected in this battle
After they had escaped from certain defeat, “many soldiers headed home” (TCI 91). Since the defeat had lost morale from the soldiers, which is why they left to tend to their farms. The lack of morale caused by the defeat made the soldiers feel as though they were unfit. Another lesson for Washington was in the plans he held for the war his original strategy was to win in one large battle, but after the loss at New York, Washington shifted his strategy to, “rather than defeating the British Washington hoped to tire them out” (TCI 93). This idea held itself true in the battle of Trenton where the Continental Army won a resounding victory. By avoiding fighting major battles and fighting a defensive war, Washington was able to tire the British out to recollect his forces and join up with the French to eventually win major battles such as the Battle of
Washington had a very good charisma that made people highly respect his orders towards them. Not only was well liked, but the men knew they were in the best hands that the army could offer. One of the most dreadful situations a general could face is a harsh winter during war. Snow made transportation of supplies almost impossible. Many soldiers had little to no clothing to protect themselves from the winter climate. These harsh living standards did not halt most of the troops loyalty to Washington. (Lengel) Problems Washington faced in battles was that the British had more advanced weaponry and supplies. With George’s skills in tactical moves in battle, the resistance began to gain ground on the British. Moral was one of the main keys going into battle. Having men that are scared to die are worthless to a brutal general wanting to win a war. With George’s presence, the troops felt almost invisible and fought with all their heart.
Following being driven out of New York City to the west bank of the Delaware River by British forces during the summer of 1776, American forces were suffering from the effects of physical and psychological defeat. The American army was on the cusp of falling apart all together. In addition to this
The relashonship between the peasants and the chinease communisit and wealthy land owners was a complicated one that changed through different events. Examples of this are the rich loosing their valuables, the strength of peasants that was reconized by the communists, and gathering support for fighting the Japanese
(2) After years of military service, Washington became a good field general, but his understanding of the political and economic issues related to military power was equally important. He knew his army’s success was dependent on the support of the government. He faced shortages of men, weapons, and other supplies. His troops would go for long periods without pay. Washington followed congress’s will without defying them, and did not use his popularity to gain the people’s support when congress didn’t vote his way. He was challenged with maintaining his troops’ loyalty to him, the civilian authority, and the rule of law. During the Revolutionary War, Washington had to deal with mutinies by his troops, ignore suggestions that he become king, and to stop officers from overthrowing or abandoning the civil authorities. Washington’s ability to handle the challenges off the battlefield made the defeat of the British possible. (2)
During the years while Washington was the General Master he was never a really good one. When Washington try to be the spotlight is when he was getting a speech to his fellow people in the colonies. If he lost the war he would become the person who has lost American. Washington have won some wars, but not all of them.
With everything that occurred, Washington did not give up. There was a Prussian General who helped Washington to the best of his ability. The general implemented new training