Washington's Crossing | Themes

Washington's Crossing Themes

Order and Discipline

Throughout the book, one of the most prevalent themes is that of the contrasts between order and discipline between the armies and their impact. Washington believed that "the distinction between a well regulated army, and a mob, is the good order and discipline of the first, and the licentious and disorderly behavior of the latter." Washington felt that the American army he saw while on Long Island looked like a mob. There are many associations with the Americans as unruly and disorganized soldiers and the losses that they suffered. On the other hand, the British and Hessians who were highly organized and disciplined soldiers won at every opportunity up until Trenton.

The American forces seemed easily swayed by the currents of the war. At each failure, their composure came apart a little more. When they discovered that the British reached New Jersey, American discipline collapsed. Most men did not go...
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