How Did Kosciuszko Contribute To The American Revolution?

The eighteenth century was a period of war and revolution all over the world. As ideas of the Enlightenment flourished, people in all nations began to speak up about the idea of liberty. The first English settlers came to Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 to elude persecution in their homeland. These immigrants established their safe haven under principles of freedom. Unfortunately, after several decades British policy became evidently unfair and abusive toward their own citizens, inspiring the colonists to stand up for their independence. Similarly, the Polish population was increasing oppressed by its neighbors, especially after an agreement between Russia, Prussia, and Austria was signed in Vienna, resulting in the first partition of Poland. Both
The Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain on July, 4th 1776 and nearly a month later Tadeusz Kościuszko arrived in America. After arriving in Philadelphia, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin discovered Kosciuszko’s strong military and engineering background. As a result, almost immediately Kosciuszko was appointed as colonel of engineers in the Continental Army (Storozynski 41). When Kosciuszko was sent to Fort Ticonderoga, he suggested the placement of defense on Sugar Loaf Point, now known as Mount Defiance. Unfortunately, his propositions were ignored, and as the Americans were celebrating their one year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, British troops took advantage of that same hill (Herbst). British troops, under General John Burgoyne set up artillery on the hill, allowing them to easily fire down at the
Since the uprising was popularized in the United States, and Americans acknowledged Polish aid during their own revolution, America also supported the independence of Poland. Even poet Edgar Allan Poe supported the cause and wanted to enlist into the Polish Army (The Purloined Life...). Also, the oppressive tactics of the Russian government on Polish people was publicly criticized in American newspapers. In fact, Tsar Nicholas I ordered the Secretary of State to condemn the publication of such “false” claims. Finally, in Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, the President of the United States formally announced his views to Congress regarding the future of Poland. Point Thirteen stated, “An independent Polish state should be erected which should include the territories inhabited by indisputably Polish populations, which should be assured a free and secure access to the sea, and whose political and economic independence and territorial integrity should be guaranteed by international covenant” (President Wilson’s...). Such a powerful nation, like the United States supported the freedom of such a helpless, technically nonexistent nation like