Fun Facts from the American Revolution- APUSH

Fun Facts
From The American Revolution

APUSH: Legacy High School

​Written in 1820 but story set in 1790s post-revolution era...

​The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The main spirit that haunts the town of Sleepy Hollow, rumored to have lost his head to a cannonball during the American Revolution...

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The Headless Horseman

Multiple Choice

The "Headless Horseman" in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was a _______ soldier

• French

• Hessian/ German

• British

• American-Loyalist

Why would this be necessary for the British?

How might the American Patriots feel about this?

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-What is significant about Hessian/ German soldiers?
-They were hired as mercenary soldiers to fight with the British Army.

Multiple Choice

In the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod Crane's love interest is Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy Dutch-American landowner. Which American colony was settle first by the Dutch?

• Connecticut

• Massachusetts

• Virginia

• New York

Context:
-December 1776- Continental Army's numbers have fallen from 25,000 to only 4,300, some enlistments expire soon
- New York has fallen to the British who now have 32,000 troops in the colonies
-American Patriots are in desperate need of a morale booster or it's over!
-Plan: Attack the Hessian soldiers at Trenton, NJ the morning after Christmas
Problem: Blizzard hits, 10 mile march and ​semi frozen river crossing in the dark
Three separate groups of soldiers supposed to cross the Delaware...only Washington's troops make the crossing

George Washington Crossing the Delaware (12 x 21 foot painting!)

Multiple Choice

Early morning of Dec 26- Washington's 2,400 men attack the still sleeping 1,500 Hessian soldiers.

900 Hessians captured, 22 killed.

American Casualties?

• Less than 10

• Less than 50

• Less than 100

• About 200

• (They fell behind during that march and froze to death)

• 2 injuries

• Alex Hamilton, Aaron Burr, James Monroe, James Madison, John Marshall present at Battle of Trenton

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2 American Casualties!

-America's most infamous traitor!
-Veteran of the French-Indian War
-War hero in Saratoga and other battles, Washington's friend
-Felt underappreciated in the politics of promotion in the army

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​Benedict Arnold

Multiple Choice

Which betrayal had Arnold planned and coordinated with the British?

(Intercepted and reported to Washington)

• Assassinating Washington

• Acting as an internal spy, handing over battle plans

• Handing over an important American fort to the British for a price

• Leading Continental troops into a trap to be captured by the British forces

British Major intercepted by Americans carrying letters from Arnold to the British

Washington was arriving at Arnold's house to discuss war preparations as Arnold was fleeing

This could have cost America the War

​Arnold asked to takeover command of then-fort West Point...planned to weaken and invite British invasion for payment

Multiple Choice

Which famous spy tool was developed and used by the Americans during the Revolution

• invisible ink

• morse code

• hot-air balloons

• heliograph (solar/ mirror signallng)

-Chemical process developed by John Jay's brother
-Would disguise real message between the lines of other writing

​-"Read between the lines"

​Invisible ink