Question

The battle of Trenton was an important battle for the Americans because ________________.


A.
their victory raised morale among the colonists


B.
the British victory convinced the French to join the war


C.
the colonists captured Howe’s forces in New York.


D.
their defeat convinced the French to help them

Answer 1

Medal for best answer.

Answer 2

Actually it was the Battle of Saratoga (New York) that is considered a turning point in the war, in that it resulted in France entering into an alliance with us, thus openly giving us aid.

However, the Battle of Trenton ia also considered an important turning point...here's why:

The enlistments of most of the Continental army were due to expire at the end of December 1776, which meant that effectively there would be no army. Morale was extremely low; the soldiers hadn't been paid, they were hungry, ill, half-naked, many with feet bleeding through the rags tied to their feet in lieu of shoes.

Another aspect affecting the importance of this battle is that some members of Congress felt that Washington was not doing a good job: He lost in Long Island, and retreated from New York.His detractors didn't seem to understand that he could not make a full-on attack against the British without fit, healthy, clothed, fed, trained troops.The best he could do, understandably, is avoid full-on engagement of the enemy with minor skirmishes.

Washington needed a miracle, and he got a couple. First, getting the courageous idea to cross the Delaware on Christmas to attack the Hessian soldiers while they recovered from their holiday celebrating.

Second, In seeing the crisis at hand, Thomas Paine wrote "Ameican Crisis", which Washington had read to the troops the night before the attack at Trenton. It starts:

"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 their 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. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."

Well, Paine's attempt to raise patriot spirit and sense of committment worked. So did Washington's plan; on Christmas, the rag-tag army crossed the Icy Delaware River in frozen boats with cannons, horses and gear, and although many of the men were ill, they marched 8 miles in a snowstorm to successfully attack the Hessians and capture them as prisoners.(Their commander was killed.)

The effect of this victory is that many men whose enlistments were to expire on December 31st stayed; The victory caused morale to soar; Washington saved the army from enlistment expirations, and had the victory he need to show Congress that he was a capable commander-in-chief. Bolstered by that victory, the army went on to another victory at Princeton on January 3rd, 1777. Morale shyrocketed, and because of these two victories, 8.000 men enlisted.

Answer 3

Clue: they became aliies with france.

Answer 4

Thanks

Answer 5

np