The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/the-capture-of-the-hessians-at-trenton-december-26-1776

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the event date?December 26, 1776
2. What is the location of event?Trenton, New Jersey
3. What happened during Washington's surprise attack on Christmas night?General Washington led his troops across the icy Delaware River and surprised the Hessian soldiers in Trenton on December 26, 1776, capturing about 900 enemy soldiers and many supplies.
4. Why did Washington decide to cross the Delaware River?He wanted a big victory to lift the army’s spirits and prove that America could win, so he chose a surprise night crossing to shock the enemy.

American Revolutionary War: The 1775-1783 conflict wherein thirteen North American colonies broke away from British rule to form the United States of America.
Continental Army: The unified army that represented the thirteen colonies during the Revolutionary War, led by General George Washington.
Hessians: German auxiliary troops contracted by the British government to fight during the American Revolutionary War.
Mercenary: An individual who takes part in an armed conflict for personal gain and profit rather than out of loyalty or ideological conviction.