American History

This document discusses the battles for control of New York City and New Jersey during the American Civil War. It explores the role of British forces led by General Sir William Howe and the American troops led by General George Washington. The document also highlights the alliances that supported the British forces, such as Waldeck and Hesse. Reference: Taylor (2016).

Running Head: AMERICAN HISTORY
AMERICAN HISTORY

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According to Taylor (2016), between the years of 1776 and the winters in 1777, there
was a series of the battle for the control of New York City and eventually New Jersey during the
American Civil Wars. This battle was held mainly between the British forces under the
command of General Sir William Howe and the American troops led by General George
Washington. Thought Howe was successful in capturing New York and drive Washington out of
the city. But he then tried to capture New Jersey and as a result, ended his active camp in New
York in January 1777. Although he was able to conquer New York but some of the blunders
committed by Howe was firstly moving his base and trying to capture George Washington and
move further down to the South. In order to capture the troops of Washington Howe moved to
Manhattan left the north of the island. But Washington along with the troops flees to
Pennsylvania, as a result, Howe ordered to move his troops from New York to Burlington, New
Jersey. But Washington in return engaged in retaliation resulting Howe to withdraw his outposts
and move back his troops New Brunswick which is a coast near to New York. Thought Howe
was able to capture the harbors in New York and appointed it as the base of action but the
division of troops between him and his brother left the city unprotected with only 3000 to 5000
soldiers to guard. Due to their lack of planning Britain almost lost 3000 army and 1400 were
captured as the prisoners of war and failed to capture New Jersey.
During the war between 1776 and 1777, Britain tried to capture America and the leader
of their troops George Washington. Britain had great support from the English military from
London but they were also supported by several alliance of there and had a mighty army. Some
of the very famous alliance that supported Britain was Waldeck which was the state of the Holy
Roman Empire. The 3rd Waldeck regiment served the British during the American war of
independence. Besides them, there were the Loyalists who were American colonies but loyal to
the British Crown and fought against Americans during the independence war. In return to their
support, the Loyalists were promised freedom from the British rule but the British forces could
not trust them and they were looked down upon. The British forces only saved those Loyalists
where the British could set up their campaign specifically in New York City. Another supporter
of the British forces was Hesse and they were famous for renting out their army for the European
superpowers and to the British Crown. During this war, almost 25 % of the British army
consisted of the troops taken as rent from the German princes and more than half came from

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Hesse Kassel. They have a big part in supporting the British during the war and they were the
first troops that landed in Staten Island and helped Howe in defeating Washington.

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References
Taylor, A. (2016). American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804. WW Norton &
Company.