Summary
On a freezing Christmas night, Washington ferries his army across the ice-choked Delaware River and surprises the Hessian troops at Trenton, winning a desperately needed victory. James witnesses the daring gamble that revives the Patriot cause when it was closest to collapse.
Viewer safety
Animated battle sequences — cannon fire, troops maneuvering. No graphic wounds or death shown.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
The crossing was brutally risky — night, ice, and exhausted men. But the surprise victory at Trenton proved the army could still win, and convinced soldiers to re-enlist.
- Why did Washington choose to attack on Christmas night, in terrible weather?
- What made crossing the Delaware so dangerous? Why take the risk?
- How can one well-timed victory change the mood of a whole movement?
- When is a bold gamble worth the danger — and when is it foolish?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: crossing, surprise attack, Hessian, morale, gamble.
Try it: Make a list of everything that could have gone wrong during the Delaware crossing. Then write one sentence explaining why Washington decided the risk was worth it.