The Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolution

Failed to add items

Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.

Add to basket failed.

Please try again later

Add to wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Remove from wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Adding to library failed

Please try again

Follow podcast failed

Unfollow podcast failed

The Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolution

Listen for free

View show details

When the American Revolution erupted, King George III turned to a surprising source for troops: the German states of Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Hanau. In Episode 127, Lucas and Luna explore the story of the Hessians — the roughly 30,000 German soldiers hired to suppress the rebellion. They delve into the political economy of 18th-century German principalities, where rulers like Landgrave Frederick II profited from leasing their subjects as soldiers. They examine the Hessians' fearsome reputation, their role in key battles like Trenton and Saratoga, and the grim conditions they faced. The episode also highlights the Hessian perspective: many were conscripts, not volunteers; some deserted to join the American side; and others settled in the United States after the war. Lucas and Luna discuss the Hessian officer Johann Rall, who died at Trenton, and the famous Hessian mercenary nickname that became a household word. They also consider the legacy of the Hessians in American memory and the moral complexities of using hired foreign troops. #Hessians #AmericanRevolution #HesseKassel #Mercenaries #LandgraveFrederickII #JohannRall #Trenton #Saratoga #GermanSoldiers #18thCenturyWarfare #RevolutionaryWar #HessianMercenaries #FrederickTheGreat #ForeignTroops #Desertion #BattleOfTrenton #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

No reviews yet