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Lecture 24

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n December of 1776, the rebellion of the American colonies against their
British overlords looked to be coming to a dismal and premature end.
The colonists had scored some promising early victories, but by the fall
of 1776, the British Empire had struck back with a vengeance. Washington
was forced to retreat through New York and New Jersey, and the British
captured several key rebel fortresses. By that winter, many believed that the
Revolution was doomed to failure. Yet from this low point—in just 10 days
between December and January—the colonists would gain an irresistible
momentum, thanks to the bold maneuvers of Washington and the battles at
Trenton and Princeton.

Dark Days of the Revolution
x In the opening months of the American Revolution, everything
had seemed to go the way of the colonists. Indeed, when the
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many thought that the war was effectively over. This triumph was
followed during the summer by the emotional high point of the
signing of the Declaration of Independence.

x In August of 1776, the British commander-in-chief, Howe, launched

an assault on New York and defeated the Americans at Brooklyn

Heights, the largest battle yet. George Washington, the leader of the

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x In October, the British and Americans fought another major battle,

but once more, the colonists were defeated and had to fall back.

This process was repeated throughout the fall, as the British chased

Washington south through New Jersey, winning a string of victories

and swiftly capturing several key fortresses that the rebels had

depended on to retard the British advance.