War and the Hudson

The Hudson River proved to be a crucial part of the quest for freedom among American colonies. George Washington realized the importance that the Hudson River and the Hudson River Valley would play in the war against the British, and he defended the region accordingly. After Burgoyne's victory at Saratoga, General Washington ordered General Vaughn to build West Point on the most narrow part of the Hudson River, which Washington called the 'key to America.' This is interesting because Washington knew that the British would try to come as far up the Hudson as they could, for the river was rich with trade opportunities. West Point took two years to build and cost $3 million, and fortress that seemed impossible to infiltrate stood on the Hudson. West Point, however, would be the center of the most infamous case of treason in American history. Benedict Arnold, an officer under Washington, sold the plans of West Point and the battle plans of the Continental army to a British officer. Personally, I did not realize that the Hudson was part of the foundation that built America. Washington's foresight as to the importance that the Hudson would play in the war saved the colonies, and his construction of West Point created a great fortress, which transformed into the U.S. army's university/college. What is most impressive about West Point is that it truly could not be penetrated by English forces. Not until an officer of the U.S. army decided to betray his country did the fort seem vulnerable to attack. This is truly amazing. Yet this story about the revolutionary war is not as well known as Gettysburg or Lexington. If Washington did not protect the Hudson, we may all be speaking in English accents and drinking tea in the late afternoon. The Hudson was one of the most, if not the most important trade regions in colonial America. The fur trade was booming, and the colonies could not lose such an important part of their new economy. The Hudson was vital to America before it became a free, democratic society - and the Hudson would shape the economic structure of the northeast and the rest of the country for years to come. Washington's efforts to protect the river from the British proved to be just as important as the famous battles that we have read about throughout High School and College.