American Crisis Summary

The video “American Crisis” begins by showing a battle in Manhattan, NY in September of 1776 with the rebel army in retreat. The British are overwhelming the Americans and pursuing them up Manhattan Island. Fort Washington is the last bastion of hope on New York Island but it will fall too. Nathaniel Greene had promised George Washington that he could hold the fort and against other recommendations, Washington decided to let him try. The British, however, let loose the Hessians and the fort was overtaken in hours. The soldiers in New York and Fort Washington accepted defeat and surrendered. Half the Army had been captured in this battle. The British were surprised to find that many of the American soldiers were children under the age of fifteen. They were also surprised to discover that a woman by the name of Molly Corbin had …show more content…
It was not uncommon to have more than a thousand prisoners on one ship. The British were leaving them to rot on the ships because they were traitors to the crown.
By this time, morale is very low with Washington’s Army in full retreat having suffered one defeat after another and George Washington himself was devastated by his defeats. The army is split into two main forces with Washington south heading through the center of New Jersey and the coarse and scheming General Charles Lee remaining further north. Lee wanted to take control of the Continental Army and did not believe that Washington was fit for the job. He begins corresponding with other officers behind Washington’s back.
In the meantime, the British are not warmly welcomed in New Jersey and as a result, they begin taking what they want by force. The brutality of the British and the Hessians actually garnered more support for the revolution. The Americans realized that they could look forward to more of this treatment if the British