Hessians

/ˈhɛʒənz/ noun

Definition

German troops, particularly mercenaries, hired by the British during the American Revolutionary War.

Etymology

From Hesse, a region in Germany. British hired soldiers from Hesse to fight American colonists, and the name of their home region became their identifier.

Kelly Says

Over 30,000 Hessians fought for Britain in the American Revolution—many stayed after the war and became Americans themselves, making them unwitting founders of a nation fighting for independence!

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