Year of the Hangman
Year of the Hangman Essay
Year of the Hangman differs immensely from what actually happened in real history. While history remains unaltered until 1777, that’s when it all changes. At the Battle of Trenton, the British commander heeds warnings of an American attack, and fights them off that night. The militiamen who enlisted in the Colonial Army during 1776 refuse to reenlist again after the difficult winter at Valley Forge. A number of small events change the course of the war in England’s favor. The first major difference that occurs is a rather large and obvious one. The American Revolution has failed and what remains of the Continental Army is scattered. The Americans leaders have been killed, captured, or forced to flee the British colonies. Any hope of a unified rebellion by the colonies has been lost. What remains of the Patriots are pirates, or exiles. Another important difference between Year of the Hangman and actual history is what happened to George Washington. In the unaltered timeline Washington was in fact captured by the British, but his men rescued him at exactly the right moment. In Year of the Hangman however, his men fail to rescue him. In the events that follow, Washington is sent to prison, and later hanged, which quite obviously did not happen in our timeline. A more interesting difference between the two “worlds” is Benedict Arnold’s allegiances. In our world Arnold betrayed the American cause. In Year of the Hangman, he remains one the few remaining people loyal to the American Patriots. Later in the book, he pretends to betray the Americans in an attempt to find Washington. What Arnold doesn’t know that he was already hanged long ago. The final large difference is the involvement by foreign nations in the Revolutionary War. In our world France arrived in time to give adequate assistance to the Americans. While in the book the French never arrive, leading to disastrous results for the Americans war effort. The
Year of the Hangman differs immensely from what actually happened in real history. While history remains unaltered until 1777, that’s when it all changes. At the Battle of Trenton, the British commander heeds warnings of an American attack, and fights them off that night. The militiamen who enlisted in the Colonial Army during 1776 refuse to reenlist again after the difficult winter at Valley Forge. A number of small events change the course of the war in England’s favor. The first major difference that occurs is a rather large and obvious one. The American Revolution has failed and what remains of the Continental Army is scattered. The Americans leaders have been killed, captured, or forced to flee the British colonies. Any hope of a unified rebellion by the colonies has been lost. What remains of the Patriots are pirates, or exiles. Another important difference between Year of the Hangman and actual history is what happened to George Washington. In the unaltered timeline Washington was in fact captured by the British, but his men rescued him at exactly the right moment. In Year of the Hangman however, his men fail to rescue him. In the events that follow, Washington is sent to prison, and later hanged, which quite obviously did not happen in our timeline. A more interesting difference between the two “worlds” is Benedict Arnold’s allegiances. In our world Arnold betrayed the American cause. In Year of the Hangman, he remains one the few remaining people loyal to the American Patriots. Later in the book, he pretends to betray the Americans in an attempt to find Washington. What Arnold doesn’t know that he was already hanged long ago. The final large difference is the involvement by foreign nations in the Revolutionary War. In our world France arrived in time to give adequate assistance to the Americans. While in the book the French never arrive, leading to disastrous results for the Americans war effort. The